The European Innovation Partnership project “Arable Coast Environment” (ACE EIP)

Welcome to the Arable Coast Environment (ACE) European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project.
The ACE EIP is a four-year project that brings together farmers, landowners, local communities, scientists, ecologists, industry, and educators to trial innovative solutions that improve biodiversity in ways that also support farm productivity and value.
Stretching from Kinsale, Co. Cork, to the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, north of Wexford town, ACE EIP is aiming to improve habitats for some of Ireland’s most threatened farmland bird species, while also supporting healthier soils, improved water quality and stronger biodiversity across the wider landscape. At the heart of the project is the protection of the Hen Harrier and other birds of conservation concern, including Yellowhammer, Skylark, Barn Owl and Meadow Pipit.

Why is ACE EIP an important project?

Ireland has seen significant declines in many farmland bird species over recent decades. The Hen Harrier, one of the project’s flagship species, is now close to extinction in some areas of Ireland. Coastal tillage farms in Cork, Waterford and Wexford provide some of the last remaining winter habitats for these birds and many other important species. ACE EIP recognises that farmers and local communities have a vital role to play in protecting these landscapes for future generations.

What are we aiming to achieve?

ACE EIP aims to create practical, workable habitat improvements on farms that benefit birds, pollinators, insects and wildlife while remaining compatible with productive farming. Through simple but effective actions such as field margins, beetle banks, skylark plots, winter bird cover and improved hedgerow management, the project hopes to build connected habitats across neighbouring farms and create long-term environmental benefits at landscape scale.

The project also aims to strengthen collaboration between farmers, advisors, communities and local businesses, helping to build knowledge, share good practice and support sustainable farming into the future.

Farmers at the heart of innovation

ACE EIP is designed around farmer participation. South Coast farmers are invited to help develop and trial practical solutions that improve biodiversity while also supporting their farms.

Through collaboration with scientists, ecologists, educators, and industry experts, participating farmers will:

• Trial science-based approaches to habitat restoration, water management, and soil health.
• Enhance the environmental credentials of their farms.
• Explore ways to add value to produce grown under biodiversity-friendly systems.
• Share local knowledge to make solutions practical and effective.

“Farmers are central to this project,” said Paul Moore, tillage farmer in east Cork and ACE EIP Project Ambassador. “We want to develop measures that restore habitats in ways that make sense for farm businesses. Supporting biodiversity and running a successful farm can go hand in hand.”
What needs to be done to realise these goals?

What need to be done to achieve the project goals?

ACE EIP will work with demonstration farms and participating farmers to introduce a range of targeted habitat measures and management practices, including:

• Creating grass field margins and beetle banks within tillage fields
• Establishing skylark nesting plots and winter bird cover areas
• Retaining winter stubbles and improving hedgerow management
• Supporting supplementary feeding for seed-eating farmland birds
• Developing farm plans tailored to each participating farm
• Hosting farm walks, training events and knowledge-sharing activities

These actions are designed to deliver measurable biodiversity improvements while encouraging collaboration between neighbouring farms and communities.

Who are the main stakeholders?

In October 2025, the Operational Group led by SECAD Partnership was approved to deliver the ACE EIP project. The project is delivered through collaboration between farmers, farm advisors, ecologists, scientists, local communities, artisan producers, government agencies and environmental organisations. The ACE EIP project is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the European Union through the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine together with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will jointly provide funding of €7 million to the ACE EIP over the next four years to cover both administration costs and payments to participating farmers.

Project timeline and how to get involved

The ACE EIP officially launched in October 2025 and will run over a four-year period. During spring and summer 2026, selected demonstration farms will begin implementing core habitat actions and developing farm plans, with farm walks, training events and knowledge-sharing activities taking place from mid-summer 2026 onwards.

The first year of the ACE EIP will focus on establishing demonstration farms and building local knowledge and collaboration. In the years that follow, the ACE EIP aims to expand participation across neighbouring farms and create connected habitat corridors that deliver long-term biodiversity benefits at landscape scale.

To learn more about the ACE EIP, the demonstration farm programme and the practical actions being introduced across the project area, please download our Guidelines for ACE Demonstration Farms 2026 brochure.

We are delighted by the strong early interest in the ACE EIP, with more than 10 farmers already expressing interest in joining the project, including Ballymaloe Farm. We are grateful to all those working with us to help protect and restore habitats for our native farmland birds.

Farmers interested in participating in the ACE EIP project are invited to contact SECAD Partnership at: ace-eip@secad.ie or 021 461 43 32