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Rivers: Bringing Our Waterways Back to Life, Together

The City of Differdange is participating in the cross-border “Rivers” project, supported by the Interreg Greater Region program. Over the next three years, ten partners from France and Luxembourg will join forces to better understand, preserve, and enhance the Chiers, Crosnière, and Moulaine rivers.

A Shared Heritage, a New Challenge

The rivers that flow through our region tell an important part of our history. Long associated with the industrial development of the mining basin, they have shaped the landscapes, accompanied the growth of local communities, and supported the region’s economic activity.

Today, they are at the heart of a new challenge: the ecological transition and adaptation to climate change. It is with this in mind that the Rivières project was launched, led by the Chiers-Alzette Cross-Border Natural Territory (TNT).

The project covers 22 municipalities (Grand Longwy and Differdange), nearly 94,000 residents, and 42 km of rivers. The initiatives will be carried out by 2028.

Rivers That Unite Us

Rivers know no administrative boundaries: they naturally connect residents on both sides of the border.

At the launch press conference, Mayor Guy Altmeisch highlighted the significance of this initiative:

Our shared history—that of the TNT—began in 2017 with an environmental battle against the operation of a landfill on the edge of a protected natural area. Today, the Rivières project allows us to strengthen our ties and build a shared vision for our waterways: moving from coexistence to cooperation.

Taking Action for the Environment and Residents

The project has three main goals: to strengthen cooperation between water managers and local authorities, to raise public awareness about water conservation, and to promote aquatic environments as spaces for discovery and sustainable transportation.

In practical terms, several initiatives will be launched in the coming years:

The creation of a cross-border water governance framework;
Ecological assessments and watercourse management projects;
Educational activities for schools;
An awareness campaign involving children’s municipal councils;
Water as a central theme at the Grand Longwy ecological transition conference in 2027;
The Water Festival in 2028;
Renovation and expansion of the nature trails around La Crosnière in Lasauvage;
Creation of a cross-border footbridge for non-motorized transportation between Differdange and Hussigny-Godbrange.

Youth at the Heart of the Project

One of the most innovative aspects of Rivières lies in the involvement of younger generations. A cross-border land-based educational area will bring together a school in Differdange and a French school: students will participate directly in the observation, understanding, and management of a natural area located near their schools.

Through its environmental, educational, and civic dimensions, the Rivières project exemplifies the City of Differdange’s ambition: to build a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive community, where cross-border cooperation drives improvements in the quality of life.

The Rivières Project in Numbers