The CatchmentCARE project will contribute to the INTERREG programme specific result “Percentage of cross-border fresh water bodies in cross-border river basins with good or high quality. The current baseline is 32% with the CatchmentCARE project contributing to achieving the target for 2023 of 65%” through the delivery of two programme specific outputs; (1) Establish 3 water quality improvement projects; (2) Develop and implement 50 cross-border groundwater monitoring wells. The aim of CatchmentCARE is to establish 3 water quality improvement projects in the Finn, Blackwater and Arney Catchments and install 51 boreholes across the region. This will be achieved through 3 policy actions, 6 catchment actions and 3 community actions which were selected based on three critical criteria; measurable impact on water quality; transferable beyond the three catchments; and contribute to a project legacy. The actions selected will address water quality issues related to hydromorphology, point and diffuse sources of pollution, farm nutrient management practices, characterisation and monitoring of groundwater quality, lag times in response to the implementation of measures and an economic analysis of the cost of achieving the objectives of the Water Framework Directive in the three catchments. The consortium has been constructed so as to provide expertise on the main issues related to water body quality improvement such as hydromorphology (IFI & Loughs Agency), water quality (AFBI), catchment management (UU); stakeholder engagement (ABC Council) and groundwater (BGS). In addition, Donegal County Council’s extensive expertise in project, financial and technical management of EU cross-border projects (e.g. NSSHARE) ensures that the cross-border integrated management of the project and governance arrangements will deliver a robust and efficient project. The project partners have a strong track record delivering cross-border co-ordinated protection of aquatic ecosystems including projects such as the Lough Melvin Nutrient Reduction Programme, the Blackwater TRACE Project and the NSSHARE Project led by Donegal County Council. In addition, each consortium member has established strong working relationships, at both management and operational levels, with a wide range of organisations in each jurisdiction. Each of the Finn, Blackwater and Arney catchments (Appendix 20) has a unique ‘fingerprint’ in terms of the stressor impact on the aquatic ecosystems. They were selected for this project as previous studies in these catchments by members of the project consortium have provided a significant body of information which address these stressors and develop and implement actions. CatchmentCARE has been developed to ensure that it compliments and brings added-value to existing programmes such as the Rural Development Programmes (RDP) 2014-2020 and the proposed programme of work for the 2nd cycles of RBMP. The consortium will coordinate the stakeholder engagement activities with NIEA Catchment Officers and LAWCO Community Water Officer in RoI. The consortium is cognisant of the risk associated with the delivery of this project, including challenges related to demonstrating the project contribution to improvements in water quality, land access required for the delivery of the project actions, effective communication with stakeholders and delivery of the project outputs on time and within budgets. CatchmentCARE will note factors outside the control of this consortium which also have a significant impact on whether this target is achieved or not. The significant experience of the project partners in delivering similar large-scale catchment projects will be central to mitigating these risks. In addition, the project will implement a monitoring and evaluation programme to manage the risks during the lifetime of the project. The project will comply with the EU Sustainable Development Strategy and ensure that the principle of equity is adhered to during all project activities. The Consortium will establish a project steering committee and three sub-committees focused on Technical, Governance & Engagement and Catchment Community. The committee will play a central role in managing project risks; ensure best practice is used in all aspects of project; co-ordinate stakeholder engagement; integration of the project actions and management of the project budget and deliverables. A Communication Plan has been developed and will be updated during the lifetime of the project to ensure that the project and its outputs are widely recognised, understood and appreciated across all relevant stakeholders and wider public. The CatchmentCARE consortium has a clear exit strategy that will enable continuity and provide a project legacy. Central to this strategy is linking the catchment, policy and community actions directly with knowledge exchange and capacity building events for local, regional and national stakeholder. The aim is to provide stakeholders with