Call for Grant Applications –
Free Rivers Fund Regular Grants Program 2025
Application Deadline:
January 10th, 2025
About Organisation
The Free Rivers Fund (FRF) was founded by three international kayaking activists, Dan Yates (UK), Rok Rozman (Slovenia), and Bernie Steidl (Austria). Each was deeply involved in protecting their local rivers from the harmful impacts of hydropower projects, which threatened the natural flow of water in their regions. Motivated by their collective experiences in grassroots activism, they recognized the importance of even modest financial support in executing successful campaigns. The FRF was established to provide that crucial funding to individuals and groups dedicating their time and efforts to safeguarding rivers. By partnering with the paddle sports industry, FRF aims to empower grassroots river defenders, helping them preserve free-flowing rivers and resist dam projects that threaten natural water systems. The fund operates on the belief that the protection of rivers requires consistent activism and support for those on the frontlines of these environmental battles.
About the Grant
The Free Rivers Fund (FRF) offers financial support to activists and conservation groups committed to preserving free-flowing rivers. Partnering with the paddle sports industry, FRF provides grants to projects that focus on preventing the construction of new dams or removing existing barriers that obstruct the natural flow of rivers. The fund is designed to support urgent initiatives that work to protect rivers from damaging development projects, such as hydropower plants. The grant can be used to support actions that either restore rivers to their natural, free-flowing state by removing dams or prevent new development projects from disrupting the natural water flow and harming river ecosystems. FRF prioritizes projects that are action-oriented and can demonstrate immediate impact. The overall grant size varies depending on incoming donations, with a typical funding range between €1000 and €2000 per project.
Who can Apply?
Any individual or group actively working to protect rivers can apply for an FRF grant. You do not need to be a registered nonprofit, but you must have a clear and actionable plan to help a river become or remain free-flowing. This can involve efforts to remove existing structures such as dams that obstruct natural water flow, sediment transport, or fish migration, or actions that prevent new dam or hydropower projects. Eligible projects must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining or restoring the natural flow of rivers. FRF grants do not cover general environmental initiatives like clean-ups, research, or reforestation that do not focus directly on free-flowing river restoration or protection. Instead, the focus is on action-oriented projects that target the free flow of rivers, supporting groups that have a concrete strategy or are already engaged in work on the ground.
How to Apply?
To apply, visit the Free Rivers Fund website, fill out the online application form, and submit it by January 10th, 2025. Applications are open from October each year, and selected initiatives will be announced in January of the following year.
Application Deadline
The last date for application submission is January 10th, 2025.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.