Waterford joins north-south village partnership

Five Co Waterford villages and towns will co-operate with five Northern Ireland communities in the first north-south village partnership approved under the national Rural Development Programme.

There will emphasis on young people, sustainability, tourism potential and joint learning in the project, which aims to bring substantial social and economic benefits, while strengthening links and understanding between those participating.

The project will link Passage East, Tallow, Cappoquin, Lismore and Dunhill in Co Waterford with Broughshane, Kilrea, Bushmills, Ballycarry and Loughgiel, in the north east of Northern Ireland.

The North Eastern Region (NER) Local Action Group and Waterford Local Action Group are involved.

Included will be seminars and workshops on tourism, renewables, economic development, community resources and sustainability.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan said, “These projects are a great opportunity for co-operation by the local action groups and other implementing bodies and, also, co-operation by the community organisations that are involved in these projects.”