Rathlin Development & Community Association (RDCA)

The RDCA membership, consisting of most island residents over 16yrs of age in a population of about 160, commonly reuses and repairs a wide range of goods and resources. It happens informally, often with or for neighbours. Rooted in a history of self-sufficiency, the community heavily relied on natural materials, foraging, beachcombing, and salvaging shipwrecked goods. These survival tools and practices of our small island community are strongly reflected in the island’s ongoing work on oral history. This culture encourages curiosity and fosters informal, practical skills, often visible in island businesses. The tradition continues today, including through the island’s partnership with the Future Island-Island (FI-I) project, (www.futureisland-island.org) an Arts & Humanities Research Council initiative uniting community members, academics, and practitioners to co-create design-led research for a more sustainable economy. Launched in September 2023, FI-I focuses on eco-friendly waste management and the circular economy, repurposing marine plastics and electronic waste, and transforming organic waste, such as wool, currently uneconomical from sheep farming, into valuable assets. Our membership with NIRN will support the practical middle ground where island tradition and capacity meet the future-oriented aims of FI-I.