Deadline: 10-Jan-2026
The Free Rivers Fund is offering regular grants to support projects dedicated to protecting and restoring free-flowing rivers.
These grants are available to individuals, groups, informal initiatives or organisations that have a clear plan to preserve or reinstate a river’s natural flow—whether by removing barriers, opposing dam construction, or preventing coarsed water systems. The fund is designed to be highly accessible, welcoming both long-standing conservation groups and newly forming teams with innovative ideas.
Applicants do not need to be registered non-profits, meaning this opportunity is open to grassroots actors, local activists, community-led initiatives, and creative collaborators who are ready to act on river protection. The key criterion is having a site (a river) and a plan. Although the total funding amount varies depending on donations, typical grants range between €1,000 and €2,000.
The grant mechanism works by enabling the Free Rivers Fund to pay project expenses directly, rather than transferring money to applicants’ accounts. This means that grantees can have invoices issued in the Fund’s name, or be reimbursed for expenses incurred. As part of the agreement, grantees are asked to provide one brief project update—an image and a short summary of progress—to help publicise impacts and maintain accountability with donors.
This funding opportunity is particularly well-suited for smaller, time-sensitive or action-oriented river protection efforts that might struggle to secure larger grants. For conservation groups seeking agile support to protect river ecosystems, challenge hydropower projects, remove obstacles to fish migration, or engage community advocacy around free-flowing rivers, the Free Rivers Fund represents a low-bureaucracy, mission-focused resource to turn plans into action.
For more information, visit Free Rivers Fund.
