Local Water Environment Grant
Local Water Environment Grant (LWEG) provides capital and revenue grants to local authorities and third sector organisations to improve their local water environment.
- Opening date:
- Closing date: (Midnight)
Contents
Summary
Local Water Environment Grant (LWEG) enables the Environment Agency to provide capital and revenue grants to local authorities and third sector organisations. It is not a funding programme in itself, but a payment mechanism for partnership projects within the Environment Agency.
LWEG is funded through the Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF). The WEIF is an annually funded programme. The Environment Agency plan and secures longer term funding for WEIF through the Medium Term Plan (MTP). The MTP is an important document. It provides a 6-year rolling list of proposed projects and investment needs, with their costs and outcomes, to deliver the catchment priorities and ambitions. It provides both a ready list of projects, for the year ahead and a source of information to bid for more funding (via a Spending Review bid) by showcasing our shared ambition for the environment.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive the Local Water Environment Grant (LWEG) you must ensure:
There is evidence that the project has the support of the Catchment or Coastal Partnership* (project proposals should be developed in collaboration with catchment partnership and be driven by the partnership catchment management plan) *if in place
The project is designed to deliver an action where there is no responsible direct owner or where direct public intervention, coordination and investment is needed to attract other investors and voluntary groups to work together for public good.
The project must deliver one or more of these relevant outcomes:
Address a reason for not achieving good status (RNAG) or reason for deterioration (RFD) or heavily modified waterbody mitigation measure, as evidenced in the Catchment Data Explorer or
Improve or restore protected area status; and/or
Create or restore priority wetland habitat or conservation and enhancement of water department species of principle importance.
The application must provide estimated delivery costs and an indication of match funding. Match funding can be partner in kind, partner funding, external and/or private funding.
An eligible organisation must:
Have engaged with the Environment Agency and have been assigned an EA lead officer.
Have your project on the Environment Agency Medium Term Plan (MTP) Have been issued with an LWEG number – this can be obtained from your EA lead officer.
Objectives
This grant can only be applied for if your project is on the Environment Agency's Medium Term Plan (MTP) and you have an Environment Agency lead officer contact.
Dates
Application deadline: 30 September 2025 Variation deadline: 28 November 2025Final claims submission deadline: 06 March 2026 Outstanding evidence for forecast expenditure deadline: 01 May 2026 Project closure form submission: 01 May 2026
How to apply
Please contact your Environment Agency EA Lead /Catchment Coordinator to ensure your project is one the Environment Agency Medium Term Plan (MTP). They will then be able to provide you with your LWEG number, which is required for completing this applicatoin form. The following signed documentation will be required before submitting this application form: -
Approved Environment Programme Business Case
Signed Grant Condiations
Bank Details on letterhead paper
Proof of Public Liability Insurance
Proof of Employers Liability Insurance
https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/apply/applicant/mandatory-questions/start?schemeId=931