Environmental Funding - Aquatic Ecology for Competition Participants
State funding in Lower Austria for measures to improve water ecology and connectivity for fish migration, as well as the renaturation of morphologically altered flowing waters. Applications possible until 31.12.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Funding of measures to improve connectivity with regard to fish migrations, to restructure morphologically altered river sections, as well as the development of fundamental concepts, investigations, studies, general planning, and expert reports in connection with these aquatic ecological measures.
Eligible expenses
- Construction measures to improve connectivity (e.g., fish passages, removal of transverse structures)
- Restructuring of flowing water sections (renaturation)
- Investigations, studies, and expert reports
- General planning
Non-eligible expenses
- Protective hydraulic engineering measures according to the Water Structures Promotion Act
Eligible to apply
- Individuals
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Funding must not exceed the maximum possible grant according to the General Block Exemption Regulation minus other funding
- Implementation of the measure in the public interest
- Application must be submitted before the start of construction or before binding order of plant components
Documents required for application
- Funding application (form)
- Project description
- Investment cost breakdown
- Proof of VAT exemption or liability
- Expert reports and studies (if available)
Evaluation criteria
- Public interest
- Contribution to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive
- Incentive effect for hydromorphological improvements
Description
In Lower Austria, a regional initiative supports both private and legal participants in competitions who are involved with facilities for hydropower utilization or other hydromorphologically impacting structures. Funding is provided particularly for measures to improve connectivity for fish migration, such as the construction of fish passages or the removal of transverse structures, as well as the renaturation of morphologically altered river sections through the restoration of natural bed and bank structures. Furthermore, fundamental concepts, investigations, expert reports, general planning, and studies are among the eligible services to strengthen sustainable water ecology and biological diversity along the watercourses.
The grant is provided as a non-repayable subsidy with a funding rate of 5% to 25% of the eligible costs, depending on the size of the enterprise; excluded are protective hydraulic engineering measures according to the Water Structures Funding Act. A prerequisite is the application submission before binding ordering of plant components or start of construction, as well as compliance with the maximum possible funding limits according to the EU Block Exemption Regulation minus other aid. The evaluation criteria include public interest, contributions to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, and the incentive effect for hydromorphological improvements. Required for submission are, among others, the completed funding application form, a detailed project description, an investment cost breakdown, proof of VAT exemption or liability, as well as existing expert reports or studies. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2026.