DUBLIN, Ireland: Three significant projects focused on marine conservation and climate change adaptation have received over 24 million euros in funding to protect the coastal environment of border counties and Northern Ireland.

The funding provided under the Peaceplus program aims to safeguard marine biodiversity, enhance coastal resilience, and promote community engagement in environmental conservation. The projects will focus on climate change action plans, marine biodiversity monitoring, and education initiatives.

The initiative is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and is supported by the European Union, the Irish and British governments, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

The three funded projects are:

MOSAIC Project (8.07 million euros) – Led by Loughs Agency, this initiative will establish a cross-border marine biological observation system to collect data on endangered species and their ecosystems, guiding conservation strategies.

ACCLIMATISE Project (7.11 million euros) – Led by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, this project will develop monitoring tools and action plans to support climate change adaptation in marine ecosystems.

CMAP Project (9.61 million euros) – Led by Ulster University, CMAP will use a citizen science approach to tackle biodiversity loss and implement coastal adaptation strategies.

Stormont's Environment Minister, Andrew Muir, welcomed the funding, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to combat climate change.
"Our seas and oceans do not recognize borders, and it is key that we work together through these projects in tackling climate change challenges and the biodiversity crisis we are facing," he said.

Ireland's Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, James Browne, highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation. "This 25 million-euro investment will not only support coastal adaptation to climate change but also strengthen cross-border cooperation in marine science," he said.

SEUPB chief executive Gina McIntyre stressed the significance of preserving natural resources for economic and social development. "A clean, green, and accessible environment contributes to a healthy society and strengthens the economy. Both human activities and climate change pose a real threat to Ireland and Northern Ireland's natural and cultural heritage," she said.