Open Rivers programme funds the removal of small barriers in Europe : Apply before January 5, 2022

1 million barriers fragment Europe’s rivers, contributing to the decline of biodiversity and the deterioration of water quality. The AMBER EU project has revealed that the barriers less than 2 m high represent 68% of all the barriers in Europe, and that their removal is more effective environmentally and better accepted by the population than the removal of large barriers.

The Arcadia Foundation is involved in river restoration based on the AMBER EU study. To this end, the Open Rivers programme was created in October 2021 and will fund numerous small-scale barrier removal projects in Europe until 2023. ERN is involved in the programme as a member of the “Dam Removal Europe” network, which is among the managers of the programme.

The 1st application round is open from November 19, 2021 to January 5, 2022. The funding will be allocated in priority to removal works but also to complementary actions such as studies. To be eligible to funding, organisations must be of general interest (local communities, researchers …). The criteria and procedure for applying are presented on the Open rivers website, as well as the guide for applicants and the application platform. Among the main selection criteria, barriers must be less than 2 m high ; the removal works must be completed after one year; the ecological gains are significant and the local managers approve the project.

ERN is directly involved in the program by disseminating information, by following the proposals and the selected projects in France and by providing support to applicants. If you want advice or support to submit your application, contact us: emma.liberati(at)rivernet.org / 04 71 05 57 88

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