More than £380,000 has been awarded to 16 environmental projects aimed at improving water quality across Northern Ireland, with the majority of initiatives focused on the Lough Neagh catchment area, the government has announced.
The funding is being delivered through the Water Quality Improvement Strand of the Environment Fund and follows an open competition earlier in the year. Officials said the latest allocation builds on last year’s programme, which invested £347,000 in similar initiatives.
The funded projects are designed to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems, promote nature-based climate solutions, and strengthen public engagement with rivers, lakes, and waterways. Activities range from habitat restoration and invasive species monitoring to citizen science programmes and educational outreach in schools.
Environment Minister Andrew Muir said the initiative helps communities take an active role in protecting water resources while improving environmental outcomes. He highlighted the participation of volunteers and schools in previous projects, which included litter removal, tree planting, and installation of riverbank protection measures.
In the previous funding round, 16 projects engaged more than 700 volunteers and over 3,000 pupils, resulting in environmental improvements such as litter removal, river surveys, and habitat restoration work across multiple catchments.
The 2026/27 projects will continue similar work, including river habitat surveys, invertebrate sampling, invasive species mapping, and installation of natural flood management features such as leaky dams and riverbank stabilization structures. Several initiatives will also focus on agricultural engagement, offering guidance to farmers on reducing water pollution risks.
Education and community involvement remain central to the programme, with schools participating in workshops, field activities, and citizen science training designed to improve understanding of local water systems and pollution challenges.
Officials said the long-term aim is to combine scientific monitoring, community action, and land-use management practices to improve water quality and biodiversity while increasing resilience to climate-related pressures.
