EC Water Framework Directive
With the introduction of the Water Framework Directive (EC WFD for short), the goal across Europe was to bring rivers, lakes, groundwater, and coastal waters to a good ecological status through requirements for improvement and prohibitions on deterioration. This includes, for example, the (re)creation of near-natural water bodies, the construction and expansion of flood protection measures, and funding for waterway maintenance.
For example, the following are supported:
- Waterway restoration measures, development of waterway management plans
- Innovative projects to achieve the objectives of the WFD
- Transfer of Water Rights for Watercourse Restoration
- Construction and expansion of guide and protective dikes, as well as flood protection walls
- Construction and expansion of flood retention basins; activation of potential (natural) flood retention areas
- Improving flood management (e.g., developing plans and maps, DWA flood audit)
Eligible recipients of grants include municipalities, water and soil conservation associations, municipal special-purpose associations, and participant associations under the Land Consolidation Act, which may be reimbursed for a portion of the eligible costs provided that the other requirements are met.
Depending on jurisdiction, the grant application must be submitted in duplicate to either the Lower Water Authority (Fulda District Administration) or the Upper Water Authority (Kassel Regional Council), which will forward one copy along with its opinion to the Hesse Economic and Infrastructure Bank (WI-Bank). In consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture (HMLU), the WI-Bank decides on the application. The competent water authority reviews the use of funds.