Our Work > Waterways & Stewardship
Supporting waterways, rivers and shared natural resources
Working with communities and partners to care for rivers and shared environments
We work alongside communities, organisations and partners to support the care and long-term sustainability of waterways across the North West and North Coast of Northern Ireland.
Healthy rivers and waterways are vital to the wellbeing of communities, the environment and local economies. By supporting shared responsibility and partnership, we aim to strengthen the condition and future of these important natural resources.
What this matters
Waterways across Northern Ireland face significant and growing challenges, including declining ecological health, pollution and reducing fish populations. These challenges affect not only the natural environment, but also the communities, traditions and livelihoods connected to it.
Rivers and waterways are shared spaces — supporting biodiversity, recreation and local identity. Activities such as angling play an important role in community life, providing opportunities for people to spend time outdoors, connect with nature and take part in shared experiences across generations.
Supporting communities and partners to respond to these challenges helps protect these resources for current and future generations.
What we support
We support work that helps improve the condition, use and sustainability of waterways and related environments.
- This includes:
- supporting community-led stewardship of rivers and fisheries
- working alongside angling clubs, environmental groups and partners
- recognising angling clubs as custodians of waterways
- supporting collaboration to respond to environmental challenges
Angling clubs play a vital role in caring for waterways — maintaining access, protecting habitats and supporting responsible use. By working alongside these groups and other partners, we help strengthen the networks that support long-term stewardship.
How we contribute
Our role is to support and enable the work of others — bringing together communities, organisations and partners to strengthen collaboration and shared action, including angling communities who play an active role in caring for waterways.
This includes providing grant funding to support local activity, as well as working with partners to connect knowledge, build relationships and support coordinated responses to environmental challenges.
As custodian of the River Bann, we also have a long-standing role in supporting responsible management and stewardship of waterways across the region.
Through our connections with the City of London, we are able to support wider relationships and opportunities that contribute to partnership working and long-term sustainability.
What this leads to
By supporting stewardship, partnership and community-led activity, this work contributes to:
- improved care and condition of rivers and waterways
- stronger collaboration between communities and partner organisations
- increased participation in stewardship activity
- more sustainable use of shared natural resources over time
These outcomes are built through long-term commitment, shared responsibility and ongoing partnership.
Access funding
We provide grant funding to support community-led activity connected to waterways and the environment across the North West and North Coast.
Our funding supports practical action, collaboration and local stewardship that contribute to the long-term sustainability of shared natural resources.
Apply for funding
Living Rivers, Living Communities Programme
By investing in practical environmental work delivered by organisations, partnerships and local stewards — including those directly involved in managing fisheries — the programme helps build a stronger, more connected approach to caring for our rivers over time.
For groups looking after the Lower Bann and its tributaries, and the people who live alongside them. Practical conservation work, getting more people to the water’s edge, or community science – we’d like to help.