ANSWER - Project objectives

The overall objectives of the project are:

To support strategic co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable region: all of the project activities will be carried out by a collaboration of organisations from the two jurisdictions with potential for sustainable economic development.
To address infrastructural gaps, particularly in the areas of waste management, water quality and renewable energy.
To create synergies leading to a more diverse economy: Issues of waste disposal are similar in each of the regions. By combining efforts and resources new technologies will be developed and potential for new business opportunities formed.

The specific objectives of collaborators will vary, but will include:

Establishment of demonstration / pilot / feasibility effluent irrigation sites
- Working closely with local authorities (Monaghan CC; Donegal CC, Cookstown DC) and water utilities (WaterNI) demonstration and pilot sites will be established treating effluents or leachates
Mapping of resources
- Using GIS technology South West College will produce a map of NI showing potential opportunities for grown energy crops and using them for bioremediation.

Research and development

The project includes a number of studentships which will support students at each of the science organisations. This will enable specific aspects to be examined in detail. Each student will produce a thesis leading to the award of a PhD or Masters. Peer review scientific papers, conference proceedings and technology transfer events would be produced.
AFBI and Teagasc currently run R & D projects on renewable energy crops and their potential for other uses. These projects will be extended to gather more data. Results will be published through scientific papers, conference proceedings, reports and technology transfer events.

Extending technology transfer /education opportunities