The Loughs Agency is to play an important role in the delivery of the CALM Project, a major cross-border environmental initiative aimed at enhancing water quality and ecosystem health, after funding of €8,235,387.32 was secured by Lead Partner East Border Region (EBR).
The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) under Investment Area 5.3 Water Quality: Promoting access to water and sustainable water management.
The three-year project, titled Catchment Action for Local Management (CALM), aims to address critical environmental challenges within cross-border river catchments across the region.
It focuses on nature recovery, innovation, invasive species control and operational strategies for nutrient management. The collaborative scheme also encompasses comprehensive measures to mitigate nutrient access, restore habitats and encourage greater community engagement and input.
The anticipated outcomes of the CALM Project are as follows:
Improved water quality in targeted catchments.
Development of a catchment strategy dealing with nutrients.
Increased community awareness and engagement in water management.
Development of sustainable nutrient management practices.
Produce a robust water chemistry monitoring campaign.
Loughs Agency is part of the CALM Project partnership which is led by EBR and also includes Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Inland Fisheries Ireland, and Ulster University.
Ciarán McGonigle, Loughs Agency Joint Interim Designated Officer, commented: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to support East Border Region on the CALM Project to ensure this valuable cross-border funding is used to its fullest potential.
“Having recently held an international conference exploring the issues facing transboundary water bodies, we firmly believe that collaboration is key to protecting our waterways and natural environment.
“I’d like to thank SEUPB for making this project possible, and here’s hoping that in years to come we’ll be reflecting on a successful initiative which has had a hugely positive impact throughout the border regions and beyond.”
The Chairman of East Border Region, Ald Alan McDowell, stated: “EBR are absolutely delighted to be Lead Partner on this exciting cross-border project. It will help to address critical environmental challenges within cross border catchments by a combination of science-based interventions and increased community awareness and engagement in water management.”
Gina McIntyre, SEUPB Chief Executive, said: “Strategic cross-border investment can only enhance and protect the environment while strengthening the economy.
“A truly collaborative approach to the management and improvement of water quality in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland is key, so community awareness and education are essential to ensure that everyone can play their part in protecting our environment.
“The transboundary nature of water bodies across the programme area presents an opportunity for strategic collaboration. This funding will help facilitate the development and implementation of cross-border best practice and technical expertise to improve water quality across the area while strengthening relationships and embedding collaboration.”
The project officially started in February 2025 and will run until August 2028.
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