Costed proposals are being sought for wetland plans and projects that will be funded by Tóchar. The proposed plans and projects should:

• Assist with the understanding and knowledge base for any aspect of a specific wetland sites’ ecology, hydrology or Greenhouse Gas emissions.
• Map wetland attributes such as vegetation, habitats, species, drains, watercourses.
• Produce restoration plans to improve and enhance the wetland’s conservation status, in order to increase the wetland’s functional resilience and biodiversity value.
• Deliver restoration works onsite, in line with appropriate consents and permissions appropriate with the designation status, and in line with best practice methodology for the characteristics of the wetland.
• Produce management or feasibility studies for improving access/reducing impacts of recreation on wetland sites which already are in use for amenity purposes.

Wetlands must be located within the following districts, or directly adjacent to the Just Transition
boundary. If a wetland site is outside the boundary but it can be demonstrated that the site is part of
a wetland complex that extends into the territory, thereby benefitting the territory, proposals can be
accepted.

Objective of the EU Just Transition Fund

The objective is to enable regions and people to address the social, employment, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050, based on the Paris Agreement. Tóchar is implementing Action 2.1 of Ireland’s EU Just Transition Programme (JTF) 2021 to 2027. The objective of Action 2.1 is to support the restoration and rehabilitation of degraded peatlands (and wetlands) to enable the transition towards climate-neutrality while also facilitating the diversification and modernisation of the economy of the Territory.

Timeframe and costs

Proposals must be deliverable within one year from the date of the letter of offer from Tóchar. Direct incurred costs of the plans and projects will be paid directly from Tóchar to the service providers that are procured by the project proposers, upon receipt of invoices. Certificates of completion in relation to the works/plans will be checked and verified by Tóchar prior to payment of invoices. Payments can be made in phases in line with an agreed delivery plan.

Wetlands

Wetlands are important places for nature and play a crucial role in the maintenance of a healthy and resilient environment for all. Wetlands can be defined as areas that are wet, either throughout the entire year or seasonally, and where the water table is at or near the surface. The wet conditions of these habitats mean that they are generally colonised by a unique suite of flora species. The presence of characteristic wetland vegetation is often used to identify wetland areas.

• For information on wetland types in Ireland, a good source is this guide produced by the Irish Ramsar Wetland Committee. Find it here.
• A useful guide on wetland types, ecosystem services and community action has been produced by the Community Wetlands Forum. Find it here.
• For information on sites that are designated under legislation, such as the EU Birds and Habitats Directive of the Wildlife Act, please search for information about them here.
• For information on various species associated with your wetland, a useful place to search for data is here and a how-to-guide is published here.

Wetland site selection criteria

Costed proposals for wetland plans and project must meet the following criteria (1) eligibility and (2)
selection criteria.

1. Only sites which pass the following eligibility criteria will be considered for inclusion:
   
   
   • Sites which are located within the Just Transition Territory or for the benefit of the territory
     will be eligible for inclusion.
     
     
   • There must be accessibility and landowner consensus for project actions to be undertaken.
     
     
   • Only sites where the polluter pays principle doesn’t apply will be eligible.
     
     
2. NPWS will appraise all eligible applications against the following selection criteria:

A consensus mark will be awarded by the review panel under each of the criteria. To be considered eligible for selection, sites must achieve at least an overall score of 50 – at least 50%. NPWS will issue written notifications on decisions to each applicant.

Appeals

NPWS will co-ordinate and manage an appeals process for unsuccessful applicants. It will provide unsuccessful applicants with feedback on request and guidelines and timeframes for the appeal process with their decision in writing.

Personnel not involved in the original decision will undertake the appeals process. As part of the process unsuccessful applicants will be encouraged and advised to seek feedback on their application prior to proceeding to seek a review of the decision on their application. NPWS will advise all appellants of the outcome of their appeal in writing. If the appellant is unhappy with the decision on their appeal, they will be able to make a complaint to the Ombudsman.

Incentive payments

Tóchar has an incentive payment scheme available to landowners who are undertaking nature restoration works or management activities on their wetlands. Types of activities include drain blocking, invasive species removal, peat cell bunding, buffer strips to protect water quality, where these activities will improve the ecological or hydrological status of the wetland. For more information about the incentive scheme and eligibility, please see appendix A (at the end of this document).

How to make an application to this open call

Applicants are invited to complete the application form Tóchar Form A and submit it together with
the accompanying information by email to tocharwetlands@npws.gov.ie by 12noon on the
Wednesday 3rd June 2026.