Funded Projects
The Water Quality Improvement Strand (WQIS), funded via the Carrier Bag Levy, has been running since 2020 and has benefited 63 local projects, totalling £1.2 million. Projects to date have included river clean-ups, outflow and river stress safaris, in-river habitat improvement schemes, catchment interventions to reduce nutrient run-off and educational programmes to encourage behavioural change.
The grant is available to not-for-profit organisations and Councils, for between £5,000 and £30,000 covering up to 85 % of eligible project costs, to deliver on water quality priorities across Northern Ireland.
The three key themes for funding under this Competition are:
- Connecting people with the aquatic environment to achieve behavioural change
- Conservation and restoration of our aquatic environments
- Nature-based solutions, particularly for climate change mitigation and adaptation
This year (2026/27), 16 projects have been successful in receiving funding within the £380,000 budget. More information is available on the following link: Minister Muir announces £380,000 in funding to improve water quality | Department of Agriculture, E…
Last year (2025/26), 16 projects were funded to the value of £340,000 delivering a range of environmental benefits across our aquatic environment as illustrated in the infographic below.
The following 16 projects were funded in 2025/26 in alphabetical order:
| Grantee | Project Title |
| Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council | Catchment Citizen Science Water Laboratory |
| Armagh Fisheries | Lowrys Lough Community Engagement Project |
| Ballinderry Rivers Trust | Ballinderry Water Watchers |
| Banbridge Angling Club | The Bann River & Corbet Lough Enhancement Project |
| Callan River Angling Club | Callan River Enhancement Project Phase 2 |
| Clogher Valley Angling Club | Ballygawley River Enhancement Project (BREP) |
| Comber Wildfowler and Conservation Association | Clattering Ford Enhancement Project (Enler Catchment) |
| Dennett Valley Health Network | Dennett Community Water-Quality Protectors |
| Kells, Connor and Glenwherry Angling Club | Glenwhirry River Habitat Restoration phase 1 |
| Speedwell Trust | River Torrent – Primary Schools Project |
| Mid Ulster District Council (Waste and Sustainability Team) | Connecting Community to River Oona (A pilot approach for a wider education initiative across Mid Ulster Council) |
| Mourne River Fishery Group | Derg & Mourne Conservation Project Phase 2 |
| Omagh Anglers Association | Ballynahatty River Restoration (BRR) |
| Sea2it C.I.C | Lower Bann & Roe cleanups, invasive & outfall action (Phase 3) |
| Speedwell Trust (post primary) | River Torrent – Secondary Schools Project Phase 2 |
| Ulster Farmers Union | Farm Water Project (PHASE 2) |
If you would like any more information on the WQIS, please contact catchmentplanning@daera-ni.gov.uk