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LAWPRO launch 2026 Catchment Support Fund

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) has launched its 2026 Catchment Support Fund to help build further capacity in non-governmental organisations and community groups working in the area of water quality in Ireland.

The fund which is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and managed by LAWPRO, provides direct support towards core organisational running costs in addition to supporting the delivery of community-based water quality projects across Ireland.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said the Department is committed to the funding.

Here’s the suggested alt text for the image:
Image: Aerial view of Killary Fjord in Leenaun, County Galway, showing a tranquil river winding through a lush valley surrounded by hills and mountains. Scattered houses line the riverbanks under a partly cloudy sky. — Killary Fjord, Leenaun, Co. Galway

“We must commend the numerous community groups across the country, who work tirelessly to improve water quality in their local area. I am delighted that my Department continues to provide financial support to these groups, through the Catchment Support Fund managed by LAWPRO, to enable them to build capacity on the ground, improve water quality and to contribute to the delivery of Ireland’s Water Action Plan,” he commented.

The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD followed:

“I encourage local groups to apply for this funding. The work many local groups do to address water quality in their area is vital in keeping our waters clean and healthy. Clean water underpins biodiversity — from freshwater pearl mussels and salmon to the insects, plants, and birds that rely on healthy rivers, lakes, and wetlands. By improving water quality, communities are safeguarding habitats, restoring nature, and strengthening ecosystem resilience.

Interested groups should speak to their local LAWPRO representative to access this funding.”

Anthony Coleman, Director of Services at LAWPRO said:

“We are delighted to be able to continue supporting organisations working to improve water quality across Ireland. Community engagement is fundamental in dealing with local issues and this fund empowers groups to grow their capacity to protect their local rivers, lakes, coastal areas and the surrounding environment.

A key element of LAWPRO’s Catchment Support Fund is to build capacity within groups and organisations to deliver water quality actions that support the objectives of Ireland’s Water Action Plan 2024. The Plan specifically seeks to “ensure further activation, development, and support of local level initiatives (rivers trusts, catchment partnerships) in support of the delivery of Ireland’s River Basin Management Plan.”

Furthermore, the Catchment Support Fund is now recognised as a significant contributor to Ireland’s implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in areas such as clean water and sanitation, climate action, life on land, sustainable cities and communities, and partnerships for the goals.

Under the 2026 Catchment Support Funding call, organisations are invited to apply for financial assistance under Stream 1 to support essential organisational costs to enable them to complete projects for water quality improvements. Such costs may include statutory and/or legal fees, insurance costs associated with catchment management, accountancy fees, website annual support costs, an organisation’s promotional materials and group development activities.

In cases where an organisation has CLG status and a proven track record with LAWPRO, organisations are also invited to apply for Stream 2 funding for capacity building including staff costs, rent and rates. The fund will open for applications on 13th October via LAWPRO’s online portal: Surveys | Online Consultation Portal of the Waters and Communities Office.

Applications

The deadline for receipt of applications is Monday 17th November 2025
The portal will close at 11.30pm

About author

EPA Catchments Unit

Administrator

The EPA Catchments Unit is based in Dublin, and the team is involved with catchment science, chemistry, ecology, hydromorphology, modelling, Geographic Information Systems and planning. We work with the wider EPA, all of our local authorities, the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and other public bodies and Departments to ensure we have the best available data and information about our catchments.

Who is involved?
Quite simply, everyone in Ireland has a role to play. This can be from something as simple as making sure you don’t pollute your local stream, or a local community working together to establish a Rivers Trust to enhance the rivers and lakes in their area, to a Government Department or Agency helping a Minister implement a new policy to help protect and enhance all our water bodies.

This website has been developed and is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Local Authority Waters Programme.

Local Authority Waters Programme

The Local Authority Waters Programme coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan, and supports local community and stakeholder involvement in managing our natural waters, for everyone’s benefit.

Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA is responsible for coordinating the monitoring, assessment and reporting on the status of our 4,842 water bodies, looking at trends and changes, determining which waterbodies are at risk and what could be causing this, and drafting environmental objectives for each.

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Department is responsible for making sure that the right policies, regulations and resources are in place to implement the Water Framework Directive, and developing a River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures to protect and restore our waters.