A new Community Incentive Scheme (CIS) has been launched to support cross border river catchment improvement projects in rivers Finn, Arney, and Blackwater.
The project is being managed by CatchmentCARE, a €14m project funded under the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme which aims to improve freshwater quality in river basins.
Project funding will be available through the CIS to support communities who are interested in looking after their local river systems and associated lakes.
Speaking about the scheme, Project Manager Con McLaughlin said: “The Community Incentive Scheme has been designed to help local communities contribute to the improved management of their river catchments and is open to a wide variety of organisations including volunteer groups, community groups and NGOs, schools and third-level education organisations, youth groups and sports clubs, not for profit organisations and farming groups.”
Funding of up to €25,000 is available to help connect communities with their local rivers; examples of the kind of projects considered for support will include wildlife sightings, biodiversity protection, pollution watch, community litter awareness campaigns, community river walks, interpretation/signage/display material and education materials/resources.
Con continued: “We have Project Catchment Officers in the Finn, Arney, and Blackwater Catchments who can help groups to develop their project ideas and proposals for submission for funding under the scheme.”
The closing date for the current round of funding is 4pm on Friday 4th October 2019.
For further information and details on eligibility, interested parties should contact their local Project Catchment Officer below or visit www.catchmentcare.eu.
