Community Water fund now open
THE Community Water Development Fund 2021 is now open, with Louth groups being invited to apply.
The fund aims to support the delivery of local projects and initiatives to address the major issues of water quality, biodiversity loss and climate change.
The fund is administered by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and is available to all community and voluntary groups.
LAWPRO opened the 2021 fund at a recent seminar of Irish Rivers Trusts and Catchment Groups. That seminar saw 246 people gather from across the whole of Ireland to share knowledge and experiences of ‘Communities Caring for Water’.
Speaking at the event Sheevaun Thompson, Funding lead with LAWPRO said: ‘demand for the Community Water Development Fund has increased year on year since it was first launched in 2018 and it is exciting to announce that the fund has been increased to €360,000 in 2021, up from
€225,000 in 2020. This will allow LAWPRO to support even more locally led community projects next year.’
A link to a recording of the seminar is available at www. lawaters.ie.
Between five and six community groups have accessed the fund each year from counties Louth, Monaghan and Cavan.
Community Water Officer for the region, Ben Malone, is hoping for greater interest in the scheme for 2021, remarking ‘Every community group across Louth, Monaghan & Cavan should be now starting to think, if they haven’t done so already, how they can begin to play their part in building more resilient sustainable communities in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and deteriorating water quality. We all have a role to play and this fund is an opportunity to improve local engagement in the solutions to these issues.’
For the 2021 Open Call, applicants are asked to complete the application form online and in conjunction with the guidelines provided online at www.lawaters.ie.
Contact details for your local
Community Water Officers are also available, as they must be contacted in advance of applying to the fund.
Closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 9th February 2021 at 12 noon.
The range of projects considered for funding will include:
- Capital projects such as: wildlife conservation and restoration of habitat; natural flood mitigation measures; fish passage projects; invasive species control, tree planting, rain garden and Nature Based Solutions, etc.
- Awareness raising and information initiatives, such as videos and publications.
- Projects that promote public awareness/education and events such as biodiversity days, surveys, training workshops, surveys and plans, water conservation initiatives, Citizen Science, etc.
- Community benefit and amenity such as: beach cleanups, improving amenity areas, bird watching facilities, etc.
Grants awarded will range from €500 to €5,000; up to €10,000 and up to €25,000