Development Fund 2024 is now open for applications!

Your local community or voluntary group can now apply for a Community Water Development Fund (CWDF) grant to deliver a project in 2024. This Fund helps local communities deliver projects and initiatives that enhance your local water environment, delivering multiple benefits for water quality, biodiversity and climate action. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) administers the Fund on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. There will be €520,000 available in grants under the 2024 Call.

The fund was launched by Minister Malcom Noonan, TD on 28 September during European Sustainable Development Goals Week, which ran from 23 September to 1 October 2023.

Commenting at the launch of the fund, the Minister of State for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, TD said: “The Community Water Development Fund is a fantastic support to encourage communities to take positive actions for water quality and biodiversity in their local area. It is fantastic to see how nature-based solutions such as rainwater planters can support the wider management of rainwater and surface water runoff in urban areas, as demonstrated here at today’s launch in the heart of Dublin City. It’s just one tangible example of the work underway to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13, Climate Action.”

Speaking at the launch, Margaret Keegan, Regional Co-Ordinator, LAWPRO said: “The Community Water Development Fund has supported locally led community projects since 2018. The Fund assists the delivery of the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland, which enables implementation of the Water Framework Directive. To date, over €2m has been awarded in grants to communities across Ireland. LAWPRO, through the Fund supports groups to deliver water linked Sustainable Development Goals. Group projects build local capacity and achieve the SDGs by active involvement with their local water bodies”.

Interested community and voluntary groups can download the Guidelines and complete the grant application form online at LAwaters.ie. An information video is available which explains all about the Fund and use of the online portal – see here Local Authority Waters Programme (vimeo.com)

The Fund is open to all community and voluntary groups to help in the protection and management of water quality, both locally and in the wider catchment. Grants awarded will range from €1,000 to €25,000.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 6th Dec 2023.

If you experience any technical difficulties on the website, please email funding@lawaters.ie

For support with your application please do not hesitate to give Catherine Seale-Duggan a call on 085 8085533 or email cseale@lawaters.ie

The form is available here: Community Water Development Fund Grant Application Form 2024 | Online Consultation Portal of the Waters and Communities Office.