Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Barrier Mitigation Programme (NBMP) is working to reconnect Ireland’s rivers by mitigating and removing man-made barriers that impact fish migration, water quality, biodiversity, and hydromorphology. The NBMP aims to increase the habitat available for migratory fish and restore natural sediment processes in rivers that provide important habitats for a range of native species. The NBMP was formed in response to Ireland’s most recent River Basin Management Plan (RBMP), the Water Action Plan 2024, which set out the action Hymo 3: “IFI will establish a restoration programme to mitigate the negative impact of past construction in or near rivers”. In addition to supporting the aims of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), the NBMP aligns with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the new Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) which aim to restore rivers across Europe to a free-flowing state. As part of this mission, a new Barrier Mitigation Funding Scheme will launch on December 18th, offering financial support to projects that align with NBMP goals. 

Fund 2 Scheme Details

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has opened a new round of funding in the National Barrier Mitigation Scheme. This follows from a successful roll out of the scheme this year, in which €13.6 million was awarded to 103 projects across the country to address physical barriers in Irish waterways, such as dams, culverts and weirs that affect fish passage. The Barrier Mitigation Fund will support projects from early planning and design to full construction and habitat restoration. The purpose of the funding scheme is to help remove or mitigate man-made barriers to fish passage in Irish rivers and streams supporting IFI’s ongoing commitment to improving fish passage, restoring connectivity, and enhancing biodiversity in rivers and streams nationwide. The scheme is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Download and review the below documents to submit your application: