The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) has launched its 2026 Catchment Support Fund this week to help build further capacity in non-governmental organisations and community groups working in the area of water quality in Ireland.
The fund provides direct support towards core organisational running costs in addition to supporting the delivery of community-based water quality projects.
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.”
Over €880,000 was awarded to 40 organisations under the Catchment Support Fund in 2025.
A significant change this year sees the Catchment Support Fund being launched before LAWPRO’s Community Water Development Fund. This is in direct response to requests from groups to shorten the period between funding calls and enabling them to plan and develop water quality projects of greater scale and impact.
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.
Interested groups should speak to their local LAWPRO representative to access the funding. The fund opened for applications on Monday, 13th October via LAWPRO’s online portal – https://consult.watersandcommunities.ie/en/surveys
