MINDSET Impact Pathway: Two Rivers Climate, Catchment, Heritage Community Education Programme
The Two Rivers Project will demonstrate how practical, community-led action can contribute to long-term climate, environmental and societal change.
Focusing on the Glentogher-Donagh and Glenagannon rivers in Carndonagh, the mission will bring together residents, schools, young people, landowners, volunteers, environmental organisations and public agencies. Through river education, citizen science, heritage activities and practical stewardship, participants will explore the importance of the rivers and the pressures they face from climate change, biodiversity loss, declining water quality and human activity.
🔹 Short-term outputs
The project will deliver a range of public and community events, school workshops and wider youth engagement activities. Participants will develop practical skills in water chemistry, kick sampling, biodiversity recording and habitat observation. Citizen science monitoring will be established at selected river sites, alongside River Guardian activities and practical habitat actions.
🔹 Medium-term outcomes
These activities will strengthen understanding of the rivers as ecological, cultural and climate-resilience assets. Participation will encourage greater sense of shared responsibility for the catchment, developing a connection between participants and the Two Rivers. Schools and youth groups will become active delivery partners, while volunteers and environmental organisations will form a stronger local stewardship network. Regular monitoring will provide evidence of water quality, biodiversity and habitat pressures. This information can help partners identify priorities, plan practical interventions and support more informed local decision-making.
🔹 Long-term impact
Over time, local stewardship and evidence-led action will support healthier habitats, enhanced biodiversity and greater resilience to flooding and other climate-related pressures. Young people will become long-term advocates for the rivers, strengthening intergenerational environmental awareness and action. The mission will also reinforce connections between climate action, river ecology, local heritage, farming, recreation and community wellbeing, ensuring that the rivers are valued as an important part of Carndonagh’s identity.
🔹 Scaling and sustainability
The results will be sustained through community ownership, continued involvement from schools and local groups, an established monitoring system and ongoing collaboration with environmental and public bodies. The MINDSET Regional Mission-Oriented Innovation (RegMOI) approach, capacity building and training including MOOCs will build the skills needed to continue and develop this work. As a pilot within the Carndonagh Decarbonisation Zone, the project will provide a model that can be adapted for other Donegal communities, river catchments and regions across the Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) area. The project supports Donegal’s climate, biodiversity, heritage and development priorities while contributing to our National & EU Climate & Biodiversity objectives.
By connecting local knowledge and climate action with measurable evidence, shared targets and long-term partnerships, MINDSET’s RegMOI approach is creating a pathway for climate actions that are replicable across the NPA.
Photo Caption: MINDSET Two Rivers Mission Implementation kick-off meeting 22nd September 2026.
