Vision:

Northern Ireland’s freshwater ecosystems are thriving, resilient, and sustainably managed

Our Priorities for 2026

• Advocate for full implementation of the Water Framework Directive at water body level across all catchments.
• Promote the sustainable use of freshwater in the planning system.
• Make the case for and demonstrate how Nature Based Solutions can become mainstreamed.
• Advocate for a long-term solution for wastewater infrastructure.
• In collaboration and consultation with the NIEL Sustainable Agricultural Policy Working Group (SAP), advocate for and demonstrate effective support for farmers and other land managers/ users to deliver a healthy freshwater environment
• Promote integrated and coordinated water management across all departments and sectors in law, policy and practice through the Step up for Clean Water campaign.
• Promote and facilitate public participation and education in relation to freshwater ecosystems through supporting public engagement in policy making, advocating for citizen science initiatives, and raising public awareness of freshwater issues.
• Enhance the availability of freshwater data by advocating for and supporting development of a robust, transparent evidence base and credible research for freshwater.