42 Mio Euros for river restoration

One million structures fragment Europe’s rivers, contributing to declining biodiversity and water quality. The AMBER EU project has shown that small structures of up to 2m represent 68% of the structures in Europe, and that their removal is more effective from an environmental point of view and better accepted by the population than the removal of larger structures.

The Arcadia Foundation, by relying on the AMBER EU study, created the Open Rivers programme in October 2021, which will finance a number of small-scale dam removal projects in Europe to the tune of 42 million euros until 2026/2027.

ERN can support and advise if you wish to apply

Dam Removal Europe, co-founded by ERN, is partner of the OpenRivers programme. As such, ERN is the interface for France and is ready to support or advise if you wish to apply. Contact  : corinne.ronot (at) rivernet.org

The funding will be allocated in priority to clearing works but also to accompanying actions (studies…). The structures eligible for funding are of general interest. The criteria and procedure for applying are presented on the openrivers.eu website, as well as the guide for applicants and the application platform.

The main selection criteria are :

– height of the obstacle max 2m (this criterion may change during the year)
– the removal works will be completed after one year;
– significant ecological gains and local managers approving the project.

The criteria and procedure for applying are presented on the openrivers.eu website, as well as the guide for applicants category A and the application platform.

Projects managed by ERN, grants obtained for a total amount of 370,000 Euros.

– Laussonne (Haute-Loire) >english
– Tardoire (Haute Vienne) >english
– Ressegue (Cantal) >english
– Souvigne (Correze) >english