A grant-giving organisation dedicated to restoring European rivers.
Latest Updates Our next call for applications opens on 19th October 2026
The European Open Rivers Programme offers grants to support projects that lead to the removal of small dams and the restoration of river flow and biodiversity.
The creation of the European Open Rivers Programme was informed by two years of research and stakeholder engagement which revealed that around one million dams are fragmenting European rivers and that there is much potential and need for dam removal.
We are currently not accepting applications, but you can already start preparing your project proposal. Our next call for applications opens on 19th October 2026. You can apply via our online portal. The programme is particularly interested in supporting dam removal projects enabling at least 10 km of river to flow freely again.
Please note that we will not be inviting applications for A1 – Barrier Identification and Prioritisation grants in this application call. Our priority for the foreseeable future is to attract and support preparatory and dam removal projects. Stay updated through our newsletter.
Explore the interventions we have funded
August 3, 2026
Across Europe, the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELSP) and the Open Rivers Programme (ORP) often support projects in the […]
June 22, 2026
2025 was another record-breaking year for the Open Rivers Programme. Thanks to the support of our donor Arcadia, we awarded […]
June 1, 2026
The European Open Rivers Programme, dedicated to the restoration of Europe’s rivers, is excited to announce a new call for […]
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