The Seaside Towns Initiative was a joint cross border local authority project part-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership which resulted in major infrastructural works being undertaken in eight picturesque seaside locations.

Funding of €1,275,000 was provided to undertake environmental improvements in the five council areas of Sligo, Donegal, Moyle, Coleraine and Larne.  This cross border project brought together local authorities to share knowledge and technical expertise which resulted in mutual economic, social and cultural benefits.

The Seaside Towns Initiative was developed in consultation with local communities into a number of different stages based on the needs of the local areas. 
The towns selected for the initiative were:

• Co. Sligo – Enniscrone and Mullaghmore
• Co. Donegal – Bundoran, Buncrana and Donegal Town
• Co. Antrim – Moyle and Larne
• Co. Derry – Portrush, Coleraine

Sligo County Council was nominated as Project Promoter and therefore monitored the programme and submitted information on a regular basis to ICBAN on the progress, administration and evaluation of the project.
The overall administration and co-ordination of this project was managed by a Committee representing all of the five local authority partners. To run concurrently with these programme of works a joint marketing effort was undertaken by the five local authority partners to boost the tourism numbers and investment in these traditional seaside resorts.  A separate sub-committee was established with extensive links to national and international markets through tourism organisations, this group explored and developed new marketing opportunities for the business and tourism sectors.

The five local authorities will continue to work together to promote sustainable cross border co-operation.