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INNS Out Scheme

Preventing the introduction and spread of Invasive Non Native Species (INNS)

INNS Out is a programme to support partnership projects that work towards preventing the introduction and spread of INNS especially where they have a detrimental impact on waterbodies or designated sites.

Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) are species that have been introduced by people (deliberately or accidentally) and are having a negative impact on the economy, wildlife and/or habitats. INNS threaten native species by spreading harmful diseases, out-competing for resources, or damaging a natural ecosystem.

We're committed to protecting and enhancing the species and habitats on our sites and across the catchments in which we operate. As part of this commitment, we've set up the INNS Out scheme to support projects which prevent the introduction or spread of INNS where such projects will prevent the deterioration of a waterbody or reduce the threat to an environmentally designated site.

The purpose of the scheme is to enable local organisations, community groups or individuals from the public, private, voluntary and education sectors to address INNS risks within the catchments where we operate. Multi-stakeholder applications are also encouraged as combining interests, resources and capabilities will improve environmental outcomes. 

Applications are now open and close 15th Jan 2024 at 23:59

View our terms and conditions

  • We are looking to support projects that are:
    • Preventing the introduction and/or spread of INNS.
    • In an environmentally designated site or along a waterbody within the catchments in which Affinity Water operate.
    • Contributing towards achieving Water Framework Directive objectives. To check the WFD status of your waterbody click here.
    • Asking for funding support up to £5000 for standard projects
    • Asking for funding support up to £10,000 for catchment wide schemes. (Note: a catchment scheme should be coordinated and submitted by a host or organisation on behalf of the whole catchment and therefore only one application should be submitted per catchment)
    • Asking for volunteer support from the Affinity Water volunteer network
  • Examples of potential projects could be:
    • Volunteers required for a ‘Balsam Bashing’ event (or similar).
    • Help in organising volunteer events.
    • Educational resources or training to identify and treat INNS.
    • Equipment for INNS treatment and removal.
    • Biosecurity initiatives to stop the introduction/spread of INNS. For example, signage and biosecurity infrastructure.
    • Costs associated with the control, treatment, and removal of INNS
    • Training for INNS treatment such as the spraying of Japanese Knotweed.
  • What can I apply for:

    Please see the table below for suggestions of how much funding could be awarded for different types of projects. These amounts are just suggestions for guidance purposes, you may apply for more but please be aware that we may not be able to award complete funding if your application is successful.

     

    Project type Suggested resource
    Creation of educational resources £1 - £1500
    Equipment for treatment - (E.g. gloves for balsam pulling to canoes for pennywort removal) £200 - £2500
    Training for licences £200 - £2500

    Specialist treatment/removal

    • Crayfish traps
    • Giant Hogweed treatment
    		 £1000 - £3000

    Catchment wide partnership projects.

    Note: a catchment scheme should be coordinated and submitted by a host or organisation on behalf of the whole catchment and therefore only one application should be submitted per catchment

    		 Up to £10,000

    Volunteer Days

    • We will endeavour to provide you with volunteers for your volunteer events, made up of Affinity Water staff, contractors, or partners.
    • Volunteering events must be on weekdays (Monday – Friday)
    • We will require at least two weeks’ notice of any volunteer events in order to advertise internally and numbers for events will depend on staff availability

    Minimum of 1 volunteer event will be attended if requested
  • We will not be looking to fund projects that involve:
    • Survey only projects
    • Research projects
    • The creation of apps