Grants for restoration of River Flow and Biodiversity 2024

Grant Categories

• Category A: Programme-supported dam removals
  • These grants will support a range of interventions that lead to the removal of small dams in catchments that offer the highest potential for river restoration and ecosystem recovery.
  • Category A is currently divided into four subcategories.
    • A1. Barrier Identification and prioritisation
      • Supporting the identification and strategic selection of small dams in a catchment that could later be removed via a grant from the Programme. An important output of the grant should be an inventory of barriers (including location, height, width, and photos). These grants may also support outreach to the local community to explore removal potential.
      • Category A1 is intended for geographical areas that offer very high potential for the restoration of river flow and biodiversity (ecologically valuable areas) but where there is currently low capacity, resources, and attention to dam removal.
    • A2. Dam removal: pre-demolition
      • Supporting the development of essential, preparatory work required to remove a dam that could later be supported by the Programme. Examples of pre-demolition work include feasibility studies, preparation of technical design documents, and securing permissions and permits.
    • A3. Dam removal: demolition
      • Demolition of a barrier. No pre-demolition work required / pre-demolition work already funded by a third party.
    • A4. Dam removal: demolition
      • Demolition of a barrier. Pre-demolition work previously funded by the Programme (i.e. a grantee successfully completed an A1 or A2 grant, and the barrier is now ready for removal).
• Category B: Enabling others to remove dams
  • These grants will support preparatory work when funding for the dam removal (demolition) can be sourced from an alternative funder.
• Preparatory work leading to a dam removal funded by a third party
  • Supporting the development of essential work required to prepare for the removal of a dam, for example, feasibility studies, preparation of technical design documents, and securing permissions and permits. The completion of the work will result in the dam being removed by a third party.

Duration

• They aim to support projects that can be completed within 12 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• They recognise that projects often involve a range of partners and contributors, including NGOs, government bodies, academia, the private sector, community groups, and individuals. They welcome and encourage applications from diverse consortia and collaborations. However, they have specific criteria regarding who can act as a coordinating partner.
• The coordinating partner is the main applicant to the Programme and will lead the project management. They will handle the grant finances, sign the grant contract with the Programme, and take responsibility for the successful delivery of the project.
• The following organisations may apply to the Programme for Category A and Category B:
  • Charitable organisations (ALL)
  • Organisations with not-for-profit status (ALL)
  • Public sector entities (A3 only)
• Charitable organisations and not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply for all grant types. They expect most applicants to be organisations with an environmental focus and a proven track record in river restoration or ecological work.

For more information, visit Arcadia.