Environmental Organisations Invited to Shape New All-Island Environmental Collaboration Programme

Environmental organisations across Ireland and Northern Ireland are being encouraged to help shape a major new cross-border initiative designed to strengthen collaboration, build organisational capacity and improve environmental resilience across the island.

The invitation comes as the Cross-border Opportunities for a Resilient Environment (CORE) project begins engaging with the environmental sector to better understand the challenges organisations face when working across borders, as well as identifying priority areas for future training, support and collaboration.

Delivered by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) in partnership with Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL), the CORE project is fully funded through the PEACEPLUS programme, which supports initiatives that promote peace and prosperity across the Island.

Recognising that region shares many environmental challenges across political boundaries, the project has been established to strengthen cooperation between organisations working to protect biodiversity, tackle climate change and improve environmental management.

The survey is the first step in ensuring that the programme reflects the needs of the sector. Responses will help identify current barriers to cross-border collaboration, capacity gaps and opportunities where additional support could have the greatest impact.

The findings will directly inform the development of the CORE programme, including training, mentoring and collaborative activities over the lifetime of the project.

Building stronger environmental partnerships

The CORE project will deliver a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening environmental organisations across the island, including:

• Tailored training in leadership, governance, advocacy, community engagement and funding.

• Support for strategic cross-border partnerships between organisations.

• Collaborative pilot projects designed to test new approaches and share learning.

• A mentoring programme to build knowledge and strengthen organisational resilience.

• A new knowledge-sharing hub providing access to resources, information and best practice.

The project also seeks to address some of the practical challenges that have emerged following Brexit, recognising that environmental issues such as biodiversity, water quality and climate change continue to cross borders and require coordinated responses.

Alongside CORE, a complementary PEACEPLUS-funded initiative, Collaborative Horizons for All-Island Nature and Governance Enhancement (CHANGE), will bring together environmental NGOs, researchers and public bodies to strengthen nature conservation and environmental governance across the island.

Have Your Say

Environmental organisations from across Ireland and Northern Ireland are encouraged to complete the survey and help shape the future direction of the programme.

The survey is available online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHSVC67

Responses will help ensure the CORE project is targeted towards the areas where organisations believe support, collaboration and capacity building are needed most.