A new resource will help community groups turn environmental ambition into practical action through the LEADER Programme
10th November 2026: Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD has today launched a new guidance document designed to help communities across Ireland protect their local waterways, enhance biodiversity and respond to the challenges of climate change.
‘Working with Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change: A Guide for Community Groups’ was launched at a conference in Portlaoise where staff from member organisations of the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) and the River Basin Management Service (RBMS) gathered to discuss effective measures to improve water quality, boost biodiversity, tackle climate change as well as opportunities for collaboration across the local community sector.
The publication provides practical guidance and inspiration for local organisations seeking to develop environmental projects, while highlighting opportunities for support through the LEADER Programme, SICAP, TÚS, RSS and other Local Development Company initiatives.
Commenting at the launch, Minister O’Sullivan said: “Our local communities have an enormously important role to play in protecting Ireland’s natural environment. People know their local rivers, lakes, streams and landscapes better than anyone, and this publication provides them with practical ideas and guidance on how they can make a positive difference. Protecting water quality, restoring biodiversity and preparing for the impacts of climate change are interconnected challenges. We need to support communities to take action, and Local Development Companies provide an important vehicle to turn local ideas into meaningful environmental projects.”
Importantly, the guide also outlines how environmental projects can be developed and supported specifically through LEADER funding, including training, feasibility studies, development plans and practical projects that deliver tangible benefits for local communities and wildlife. Delegates were also informed of other funding programmes that could potentially complement LEADER and support them in their plans and projects.
Máirín Ó Cuireáin, CEO of the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) added: “The guide demonstrates how communities can make a real difference to their local environment through initiatives such as river restoration, native tree planting, wetland creation, invasive species control, biodiversity trails, water conservation and citizen science projects.”
Welcoming the launch, Anthony Coleman, Director of Services at the River Basin Management Service, said: “It was great to have so many from the Local Development Companies represented at the workshop today in Portlaoise. This event encourages community groups, community leaders and environmental volunteers to explore the potential of the LEADER Programme to deliver projects that benefit both people and nature, while also considering how to access the complementary water quality funding schemes administered by the River Basin Management Service on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.”
The publication emphasises that the most effective approaches to protecting waterways involve local communities working together with relevant stakeholders and environmental experts.
It highlights the importance of taking a catchment-based approach, recognising that what happens upstream can have a significant impact on water quality, habitats and wildlife further downstream.
Among the projects explored in the guide are the restoration of degraded rivers, the creation of ponds and wetlands, natural flood management measures, nature-based solutions, raingardens, smarter villages and rainwater management planning, improved fish passage, and initiatives to provide habitats for threatened species.
The free guidance booklet also champions the value of citizen science, encouraging local people to become actively involved in monitoring wildlife and water quality, building knowledge and developing a greater connection with their local environment.
Coinciding with the launch was a workshop between the staff of Local Development Companies and the River Basin Management Service. It aimed to develop opportunities to collaborate across the River Basin Management Plan, share knowledge and learnings and identify potential local projects that could benefit local communities. Staff from Laois County Council guided attendees to their recently built raingarden, partially funded through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Georgina Ireland, Senior Executive Officer with Laois County Council, added: “Laois County Council is delighted to support this event and showcase the benefits, both socially and environmentally, of nature-based solutions such as the beautiful raingardens developed in Portlaoise by our Municipal District engineering staff in conjunction with the local Tidy Towns group. Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognised as a vital part of addressing some of the most significant challenges facing our communities, including climate change, biodiversity loss, flooding and declining water quality. Laois County Council is working to build an understanding within our communities that by working with nature rather than against it, we can improve our resilience as well as enhancing community wellbeing. “
Dr. Fran Igoe, South East Regional Coordinator of the River Basin Management Service stated: “It’s crucial to emphasise the importance of the need to support local communities to better protect their local rivers, by improving water quality for all, leading to better placemaking and quality of life. That is what this is really all about!”
The guide was funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and compiled by the River Basin Management Service with support from the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
Working with Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change: A Guide for Community Groups is available to read here: Working with Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change
ENDS
For media information:
Kealan McGuinness
Digital and Social Media Officer
River Basin Management Service
T: 085 8500299
Photo Caption: L to R: Anthony Coleman, Director of Services, River Basin Management Service, Máirín Ó Cuireáin, CEO of the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN), Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD
About River Basin Management Service: A Local Authority Shared Service, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Website: www.riverbasin.ie
Formerly the Local Authority Waters Programme, the River Basin Management Service works on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in our rivers, lakes, estuaries, ground and coastal water through catchment science and local community engagement. The River Basin Management Service was established to fulfil requirements under the European Union Water Framework Directive and is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The organisation coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan.
About the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN):
Website: www.ldcn.ie
We are a national network of Local Development Companies working across rural and urban Ireland to tackle disadvantage and create opportunities for stronger, more resilient communities. Together, we employ over 2,000 people who support thousands of communities, individuals, families, businesses, and social enterprises annually.
Our strength lies in our deep local connections. We don’t just deliver services – we build trust, foster inclusion, and empower communities to thrive. Whether it’s a sustainability initiative in a small rural town or a youth development programme in an urban centre, our members are creating lasting impact at every level.
About the LEADER Programme
Website: LEADER
Operated by the Department of Rural Community Development and the Gaeltacht, LEADER is a community-led approach to local development funded through Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
It has been operating in Ireland since its commencement in 1991 and has evolved through five successive programming periods to become a key intervention within EU rural development policy.
LEADER supports private enterprises and community groups who improve the quality of life and economic activity in rural areas. It is delivered by a network of Local Action Groups (LAGs) selected to implement Local Development Strategies for their respective geographical areas.