Open Rivers Programme — Dam Removal and River Restoration

The Open Rivers Programme invites applications for grants to support the removal of small dams and barriers to restore free-flowing rivers across Europe. Non-governmental organisations, public authorities, and community groups can apply for funding to complete preparatory work, technical assessments, and the physical removal of redundant instream structures. The program offers different grant categories, with funding amounts varying depending on the scope of the project, including small grants under €10 thousand for preparatory phases and larger allocations for full-scale barrier removals. The deadline for the current application cycle is 26 June 2026. Open Rivers