An important new cross-border initiative aimed at improving water quality and catchment management in the Erne catchment area of the Central Border Region has been officially launched, called the FLOW (For the Love of Our Waters) Project.

FLOW is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and has received €5.16 million in funding under the Water Quality and Catchment Management Investment Area. The project represents a significant investment in collaborative, evidence-led approaches to addressing shared environmental challenges across border catchments. FLOW will focus on strengthening cross-border cooperation, improving data and understanding of catchment pressures, and supporting practical actions including nature-based solutions that contribute to healthier aquatic environments and resilient communities. It will result in a solution designed to engage communities and make an active contribution to improved water quality in four cross-border water catchments: Lough Melvin, Upper and Lower Lough MacNean, Cladagh / Swanlinbar River, and Kilroosky Lake Cluster.

The project is led by the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) and brings together a strong partnership of academic, statutory and regional bodies to deliver integrated solutions that support improved water quality, biodiversity, and sustainable land and water management. The project partners are: Agri-food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI); Atlantic Technological University (ATU); Ballinderry Rivers Trust; ICBAN; Inland Fisheries Ireland; Leitrim County Council; The Rivers Trust; Ulster University and LAWPRO, the Local Authorities Water Programme and the Garrison and Lough Melvin Anglers Association as Associate Partners.

The official launch event took place at the Killyhevlin Hotel, bringing together project partners, key stakeholders, and representatives from Accountable Departments and the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The Minister for The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir MLA welcomed the launch.

Minister Muir MLA said: “I am thrilled to launch the ‘For the Love of Our Waters’ project which takes a collaborative approach to improving water quality recognising the shared cross border nature of water resources. I wish the project partners every success in delivering enhanced water quality through nature-based solutions, monitoring and community engagement”.

Government of Ireland Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD

“The joined up approach of this FLOW project will strengthen cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange between partners and key stakeholders as well as build capacity across the Island for catchment science and community engagement. I look forward to hearing about the success of this project as it progresses.”

Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body, said: “The FLOW Project shows what can be achieved when organisations on both sides of the border work with a shared purpose. The partners have set out a careful and evidence-based plan to protect the Erne catchment and support the communities who depend upon it. PEACEPLUS is designed to encourage this kind of cooperation. I look forward to seeing the practical benefits that will come from this important work.”

Councillor Michael Mc Bride, ICBAN Chair said: “The FLOW Project represents a unique and ambitious cross-border response to the shared challenges facing our rivers, lakes and catchments. By bringing together local authorities, academic expertise and key environmental stakeholders, FLOW is unique in that it places cross-border cooperation at the heart of the efforts: the border runs through each of the 4 catchments. This investment through PEACEPLUS demonstrates the value of partnership working and long-term thinking in protecting our natural environment for communities across the Central Border Region.”

PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

For further information contact:

Mary MacCann

FLOW Project Support Officer [email protected]

028 6634 0710

Notes to Editors

The Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) Ltd was established in 1995 as a network of councillors from the central border area of Ireland / Northern Ireland with one common aim: to respond to the unique economic and social needs of the Central Border Region.
The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The total value of PEACEPLUS is €1.14 billion.
PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.