Funding to help Louth group protect and restore water quality

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), working on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in our river catchments, has announced that it is awarding €16,384.89 to Oriel River Catchments and Coastal Association in Louth.

It is part of an overall funding package of €856,260 allocated 40 community groups in 19 counties under the Catchment Support Fund Open Call 2025.

The Catchment Support Fund launched last year as a direct response to the Resilience Pilot Project Evaluation and an external review of LAWPRO’s other fund - the Community Water Development Fund. Both reviews indicated that funding was necessary to build capacity in local groups to support Ireland’s third River Basin Management Plan, the Water Action Plan 2024.

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This funding is an important part of Ireland’s Water Action Plan, the roadmap to restore Ireland's waterbodies to 'good' status or better, and to protect against further deterioration between 2023 and 2027. It aims to do this through an “integrated catchment management approach”, which means understanding the area, water uses, potential threats and bringing together science and communities. The funding will support a diverse range of projects nationwide including:

• River and catchment conservation: initiatives to restore and protect local rivers and their ecosystems.
• Community engagement: programs that promote water stewardship and raise awareness about water quality issues.
• Biodiversity enhancement: projects that support habitats and species dependent on clean water.

Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD welcomed this announcement: “In response to increased demand from groups to carry out larger water quality and protection projects, I’m delighted to announce this year’s allocation of more than €850,000, up €300,000 on last year. As well as promoting water stewardship and water quality, it enables local communities to play an active role in Ireland’s Water Action Plan."

Commenting on the 2025 fund, Director of Services for LAWPRO, Anthony Coleman said: “We are proud to be able to support community groups in their efforts to protect and improve local water quality. It’s essential that community groups have the opportunity to develop, so they can continue to deliver impactful projects and drive positive change in our water quality for future generations.”

Further funding is available through LAWPRO’s Small Grants and Events Scheme, which allows community groups to apply for support to cover small scale initiatives and events related to water quality. For full details of grants awarded and more information on the work of LAWPRO visit: www.lawaters.ie