Supporting the Circular IMTA Demo Project with a New Content Website

As highlighted in the Circular IMTA Demo Project’s New Year update, the project has launched a new content website to support communication, knowledge sharing and engagement across its work.

The website (circular-imta-demo.ie) brings together project updates, research activity, training resources and events in a single, accessible platform designed to make information about the project easier to find and explore.

The platform supports the project’s wider aim of sharing insights from its research and demonstration work, helping to make progress and outcomes visible to researchers, industry stakeholders, policymakers and the wider public.

Project Overview

The Circular IMTA Demo Project is a research and demonstration initiative focused on developing circular bioeconomy solutions in Irish peatlands. The project applies Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) approaches that combine aquaculture with plant-based systems, enabling nutrients and by-products from one process to be reused within a closed-loop system.

By integrating fish farming with species such as duckweed and macroalgae, the project explores more sustainable approaches to resource use, food production and environmental management. The demonstration site provides a practical setting for testing, refining and showcasing these circular methods.

Led by Technological University of the Shannon, the project supports collaboration, training and knowledge sharing across research, industry and public-sector stakeholders. It is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the EU Just Transition Fund, with support from Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

A platform to support communication and knowledge sharing

The new website provides a central point of access to information about the project and its activities as they evolve. It includes:

• clear sections outlining the project’s objectives and tasks
• a gallery highlighting activity at the Mount Lucas demonstration site
• information on project partners and the project team
• dedicated areas for news, updates and events

The structure of the site is designed to support ongoing communication and future content, allowing the project to share outputs, publications and updates over time as research and demonstration activities progress.

Looking ahead

Alongside the content website, work is under way on an open data portal to support the publication of datasets generated through the Circular IMTA Demo Project. Once available, the portal will provide access to both existing and newly generated data, supporting transparency, reuse and further research linked to the project.

Together, the website and forthcoming data portal provide a strong foundation for sharing project activity, insights and outputs over the lifetime of the initiative, supporting collaboration and knowledge exchange as the project continues to develop.

The development of the content website was delivered through the Social and Environmental initiative of the OGP Technical Services Framework for Open Data and Data Management for the Irish Public Sector. The initiative supports knowledge sharing and engagement for environmentally focused research and demonstration projects.