Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council will play a key role in a major cross-border initiative to improve water quality and ecosystem health, after lead partner East Border Region (EBR) secured €8,235,387.32 in funding.

The Catchment Action for Local Management (CALM) project is supported by PEACEPLUS, the programme administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) under Investment Area 5.3 Water Quality: Promoting access to water and sustainable water management. It was launched in Carlingford on Friday 6 March 2026.

CALM will address pressing environmental issues in river catchments that straddle the border, targeting sources of pollution and pressures on biodiversity.

The programme will focus on nature recovery, innovation, invasive species management and practical nutrient control, combining habitat restoration with measures to reduce nutrient inputs and strong community engagement.

Partners in the CALM consortium are EBR (lead), ABC Borough Council, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Loughs Agency and Ulster University.

The primary challenge is excessive nutrients in watercourses, which drive pollution, degrade habitats and diminish biodiversity. These impacts are compounded by agricultural practices, erosion and inadequate waste management, creating significant environmental and public health risks.

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CALM aims to enhance water quality and ecological condition across cross-border catchments by cutting nutrient and sediment loads. Expected outcomes include improved water quality in target areas; a catchment strategy focused on nutrients; increased public awareness and involvement in water stewardship; the development of sustainable nutrient management practices; and a robust water chemistry monitoring campaign.

Irish Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Minister James Browne said: "Water knows no boundaries and transboundary cooperation and collaboration is key to tackling water quality in cross-border and more broadly across the island of Ireland.

"Projects like the CALM project will strengthen cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange between partners and key stakeholders and build capacity across the Island on catchment science and community engagement, whilst also building the tools needed to manage nutrients effectively."

NI Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir MLA said: "I'm delighted to be at the launch of the Catchment Action for Local Management project. Our water resources do not stop at borders, so I support this collaborative effort to improve water quality together. I wish the project partners every success in delivering enhanced water quality and ecosystem health."

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: "PEACEPLUS was designed to support work that improves everyday life across our shared region. The CALM Project stands out for the scale of its ambition and the strength of the partnership behind it.

"By focusing on water quality, habitat restoration and community involvement, this initiative will help to protect river catchments that are vital to both local citizen wellbeing and long‑term environmental stability. We are pleased to support a programme that brings scientific expertise and practical action together in a way that will deliver lasting benefits on both sides of the border."