Eleven Donegal projects have been allocated a total of €63,155 through the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) under the ‘Community Water Development Fund Open Call 2024’.
The Donegal projects are among 155 nationwide that have been allocated €1.2 million to improve water quality.
The Donegal projects that will receive funding are:
* Ballyshannon Regeneration Group (Ballyshannon and Environs Green and Blue Space Discovery Project) €8,325.
* Artlink (Flow, form and protection of water) €2,000.
* Cloughaneely Angling Association (Tullaghobegeley Hydromorphology Project) €16,820.
* An Taisce Donegal Local Association (River Lennon – A Nature Corridor 2024) €2,850.
* Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair Teo (Siúlóid fríd na Glúnta / A walk through the generations) €4,920.
* Culdaff Development Association (Renewing Culdaff – A River Restoration Initiative) €6,081.
* Cairde na hEaragaile CLG (To progress the feasibility Study for Path along north shore of Lough Dhún Lúiche) €4,674.
* Rathmullan The Way Forward CLG on behalf of Rathmullan Tidy Towns (Citizen science education; Invasive Species Survey, Water in the Community) €2,100.
* Deele Community Anglers (River Deele Community Riparian Habitat and Improvements programme) €8,000.
* Foróige (NW Donegal Seashore Stewards) €2,700.
* Kilcar (Ballaghadoo Invasive Species Management Project) €4,658.
Welcoming the funding announced by the Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, Donegal Minister, Charlie McConalogue said: “The Local Authority Waters Programme does great works on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities. The allocations to the eleven Donegal projects will help to protect and restore good water quality in our rivers, lakes, estuaries, ground and coastal water through catchment science and local community engagement. The funding of the community-driven projects will help in the collective goal of improving water quality here in Donegal.”
Under the Community Water Development Fund, grants totalling €702,605 will fund the grassroots work of local communities and voluntary groups to raise awareness of our rivers, lakes and streams and the biodiversity they support.
A further €500,000 under the new LAWPRO Catchment Support Fund, to be rolled out by LAWPRO, will help NGOs working on water quality to develop and strengthen the skills, processes, and resources they need to grow.
LAWPRO was established to fulfil requirements under the European Union Water Framework Directive and is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. LAWPRO coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan.
Under the fund local communities and groups were invited to apply for financial assistance to support the delivery of projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity.
