Natural Resources Wales - Sustainable Drainage Concept Design Grant
The Sustainable Drainage Concept Design Grant, has been funded £300,000 by the Water Quality Capital Programme to support the development of small-scale, retro-fit sustainable urban drainage schemes or sustainable drainage schemes (collectively referred to as SuDS) in Wales.
Key information:
NRW has developed a fund of £300,000 to be made available for concept design development grants between £15,000 – £30,000.
Applicants can ask for up to 100% of the project costs.
NRW will consider value for money when they make decisions about using public money to deliver our policy.
Match funding will be viewed favourably. Match funding can include: cash contribution, volunteer time and staff time.
We’re accepting applications from 7th of April 2025 on the NRW website here: Natural Resources Wales / Current grant opportunities.
Applicants must apply before midnight 23:59 on 30 June 2025.
NRW aim to give applicants a decision on their application by September 2025.
The final claim date will be 28 February 2026.
Webinars for our external stakeholders and partners will be held on 28th of April 2025. Register on our website.
Useful evidence sources:
Water Framework Directive (WFD) Regulations Protected Areas – river basin management plans 2021-2027: protected area register
Medium or high risk flood areas – check your flood risk by postcode
What we will Support with the Funding:
NRW will fund concept designs that align with the following programme objectives:
To develop concept designs for retro-fit, small scale sustainable drainage/surface water management schemes that would manage rainwater, offer resilience for the sewerage networks and improve water quality.
Enhance biodiversity and ecology through nature-based solutions.
Provide health, well-being, and amenity benefits.
Support/embed collaboration with the community.
Include innovative or novel techniques that improve current approaches and provide new evidence.
Contribute to reduction of carbon emissions.
The project must also be in Wales – for any cross-border proposals, we will consider only the Welsh element.
All grant queries and application process should be directed to: grants.enquiries@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk