Local Water Environment Grant

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.

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.

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.

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

Applications 25th September 2026 Variations 27th November 2026 Final Claims  26th February 2027 Outstanding evidence 30th April 2027 Project Closure 30th April 2027

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