Thirteen newly supported projects have the potential to open up over 380 km of rivers through the removal of 55 barriers.
Shortly after announcing the programme’s first round of supported projects, we are pleased to announce a further round of support via the following grant types: catchment development, preparatory works, and dam removals.
In this funding round, projects have been supported in Croatia, Romania, and Austria for the first time, kick-starting dam removal in these countries. In Croatia, the project team will ensure that all the conditions are in place for the removal of eight dams along the Bijela Rijeka River in the beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park. In Romania, project implementers will short-list barriers for removal from the South-Western Carpathian catchment and Maramure, whilst demonstrating the ecological and socio-economic benefits that will be generated by freeing up rivers. These projects intend to lead to the first barrier removals in both countries. While there have been previous barrier removals in Austria, this project will pave the way for four dam removals in a Natura 2000 site that hosts several endangered species. The project will serve as an important model for what can be achieved from dam removal in Austria.
The programme will support the demolition of six dams in this round and prepare for the removal of 49 dams via catchment development and preparatory projects. Download the Grant Cycle II pdf to learn more about each project. More information and details will be available on our website soon.
