Applications open for Dam Removal Grants Program 2025

Deadline: 14-Mar-25

The European Open Rivers Programme, dedicated to the restoration of Europe’s rivers, is excited to announce a new call for applications for the Dam Removal Grants Program.

Categories

• Category A: Programme-supported dam removals
  • These grants will support a range of interventions that lead to the removal of small dams in catchments that offer the highest potential for river restoration and ecosystem recovery.
  • Category A is currently divided into four subcategories.
    • A1. Barrier identification and prioritisation
      • Supporting the identification and strategic selection of small dams in a catchment that could later be removed via a grant from the Programme. An important output of the grant should be one or more viable barriers that can be removed.
      • Category A1 is intended for geographical areas that offer very high potential for the restoration of river flow and biodiversity (ecologically valuable areas) but where there is currently low capacity, resources, and attention to dam removal.
    • A2. Dam removal: pre-demolition
      • Supporting the development of essential, preparatory work required to remove a dam that could later be supported by the Programme. Examples of pre-demolition work include feasibility studies, preparation of technical design documents, and securing permissions and permits.
    • A3. Dam removal: demolition
      • Demolition of a barrier. No pre-demolition work required/pre-demolition work already funded by a third party.
    • A4. Dam removal: demolition
      • Demolition of a barrier. Pre-demolition work previously funded by the Programme (i.e. a grantee successfully completed an A1 or A2 grant, and the barrier is now ready for removal).
• Category B: Enabling others to remove dams
  • These grants will support preparatory work when funding for the dam removal (demolition) can be sourced from an alternative funder.
  • Preparatory work leading to a dam removal funded by a third party
    • Supporting the development of essential work required to prepare for the removal of a dam, for example, feasibility studies, preparation of technical design documents, and securing permissions and permits. The completion of the work will result in the dam being removed by a third party.

What are they looking for?

• The fundamental aim of the programme is to remove small dams from rivers and to make rivers free-flowing again. The desired outcome is ecological restoration – to restore the diversity and abundance of life in rivers and their surrounding ecosystems. Category A projects will be scored on their potential to achieve the following:
  • Maximise the potential for ecological gain 
    • This is the number one goal of the programme, and the approach will be to take every possible step to select projects that achieve this. This means that they are more likely to select projects in areas of low fragmentation where it will be costeffective to achieve ecological restoration. They encourage projects that demonstrate the following criteria:
      • Potential to open up significant areas of previously fragmented river – measured in kilometres gained upstream to the next barrier (natural or artificial).
      • Potential to restore rare, threatened, or endangered habitats or species, focusing on rivers of significant ecological importance.
      • Restoration of ecological and hydromorphological processes.
      • Restoration of connectivity between habitats, considering longitudinal, lateral, and vertical connectivity.
      • Helping to ensure rivers are more resilient to both short- and long-term changes, such as climate fluctuations.
      • Consideration of entire river basins, with justification for the relevance of each proposed dam removal in opening up the catchment.
      • Extent to which the removal contributes to a wider restoration plan at the catchment level and supports achieving Good Ecological Status.
      • Demonstration that River Basin Management Plans have been consulted and have informed the approach to dam removal.

Eligibility Criteria

• They recognise that projects often involve a range of partners and contributors, including NGOs, government bodies, academia, the private sector, community groups, and individuals. They welcome and encourage applications from diverse consortia and collaborations. However, they have specific criteria regarding who can act as a coordinating partner.
• The coordinating partner is the main applicant to the programme and will lead the project management. They will handle the grant finances, sign the grant contract with the programme, and take responsibility for the successful delivery of the project. This partner will usually be based in the country of implementation. If a non-resident organisation applies as the coordinating partner, they must justify why their involvement is essential, for example, if there is no suitable national coordinating organisation in the implementing country.
• The following organisations may apply to the programme for Categories A and B:
  • Charitable organisations (ALL)
  • Organisations with not-for-profit status (ALL)
  • Public sector entities (A3 and B only)

Ineligibility Criteria

• They don’t support:
  • Expensive projects with low ecological significance. They aim to support projects that open up at least 10km of river, with a minimum of 5km. This means they are unlikely to support projects in highly fragmented areas.
  • Projects in rivers with poor ecological status are less likely to receive support, as the ecological benefits following removal may be minimal or take a long time to materialise.
  • Post-dam removal restoration, unless necessary to prevent negative impacts (e.g. altered hydrological regimes causing flooding or the spread of invasive species).
  • Partial dam removals. To be eligible for funding, the entire vertical extent of the barrier must be removed. The programme only supports complete removal to fully restore natural river flow

For more information, visit European Open Rivers Programme.