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European Dam Removal Award 2024

Celebrating Showcase Inspire Removals

The 4th edition of the European Dam Removal Award celebrated the most inspiring riverine barrier removal projects in 2024 with a prize of 20.000 euros. Removing barriers to restore rivers teeming with fish and thriving communities is close to our hearts, and we could not wait to hear your stories!

Barrier removal comes in all shapes and sizes, and each one has a remarkable story to tell. This award isn’t necessarily about the tallest dam or the longest culvert removed. What truly mattered was your project’s journey – how it all started, the driving forces behind it, the challenges you conquered, and most importantly, the social and environmental impacts of the removal. Your unique story is what inspires and makes a difference!

About the award

What is the Dam Removal Award?

Wetlands International Europe coordinated the award on behalf of Dam Removal Europe to celebrate the most innovative and inspiring river barrier removal projects across the continent. We want to acknowledge the important work of dam removal practitioners, river users, communities, and authorities who put their hearts into these projects restoring free-flowing rivers.

The award was hosted by Dam Removal Europe, and supported by the European Investment Bank, McMillen and EKOenergy. The winner was awarded 20.000 euros towards the team’s next removal project! 

This award was a celebration of the best dam removal projects in Europe from 2024, aimed at acknowledging the achievements of civil society coalitions that have successfully removed barriers. Our purpose was to recognise their remarkable efforts and inspire others in this vital field.

General rules

  • Define barrier type: Your project should focus on the removal of a barrier, including dams, weirs, culverts, sluices, or fords. These barriers must have been fully or partially removed to allow fish passage and ecological flow (not including fish passages or bypasses).
  • Your barrier removal project must have been executed and completed in 2024, including the technical work involved in dam removal.
  • Each organisation or partnership of organisations can submit and be nominated for only one project.
  • Projects can only be submitted by the primary organisation responsible for the execution of the project.
  • A single barrier removal project can involve multiple barrier removals completed in 2024.
  • Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered.
  • By submitting your photos and videos, you agree to allow Dam Removal Europe to use them in its communication. Ensure that you include any necessary photo credit and copyright information. Videos should be approximately one-minute long and can be in your own language along with English subtitles if necessary.
  • Award-winning projects from previous years are not eligible for resubmission.
  • The decision of the jury is final, and Dam Removal Europe will not discuss or justify the choices of the jury and outside of discovery of disqualifying facts.
  • All submissions must be filed in the English language.

LET’S KEEP REMOVING OBSTACLES

LET’S KEEP REMOVING OBSTACLES

LET’S KEEP REMOVING OBSTACLES

LET’S KEEP REMOVING OBSTACLES

LET’S KEEP REMOVING OBSTACLES

AND LET RIVERS RUN FREE

AND LET RIVERS RUN FREE

AND LET RIVERS RUN FREE

AND LET RIVERS RUN FREE

AND LET RIVERS RUN FREE

Selection process

All submissions were checked for compliance with general rules and only complete submissions (including mandatory uploads) were accepted. The jury selected three projects as finalists for the award, who were presented for a public vote in September 2025. The winner was determined through a combination of the jury’s evaluation (70%) and public vote (30%). The official award ceremony was scheduled for October in Luxembourg, hosted by the Water Management Agency.

Criteria for Selection:

  • Significance: The relative importance for the river and the amount of connectivity restored, the story behind the removal and why it mattered in your country.
  • How the removal was done: From your partners to feasibility studies, funding sources and the technical details of the removal.
  • Communications and public engagement: Communications and public engagement: How the project was communicated to stakeholders by you and others, how people were engaged and any opposition overcome.
  • Impacts, monitoring and indicators: expected benefits, importance, monitoring framework and indicators used.
  • Experience and Learning: Innovative approaches, keys to success and learning opportunities created.
  • Photos and video statement: Before and after photos and a short video of approximately one-minute detailing why the project should be awarded.

Disclaimer: The selection procedure was carried out by an independent team to prevent potential conflicts of interest. For the Dam Removal Europe partners who are also removing dams, this means that they were not be involved in the pre-selection nor the jury procedure.

The Jury

The jury was international and interdisciplinary. The members were experts in nature conservation, freshwater ecosystems, fish, community innovations and communications. Each of them contributed their unique perspective on barrier removal and river restoration, culminating in a well-balanced and diverse team. 

The Award

Up to three finalists were invited to an award event in Luxembourg. The monetary prize for the most inspiring project was 20.000 euros, to be spent by winner on their next removal. All finalists were be highlighted in Dam Removal Europe communication channels.  

Aaand the 2024 Dam Removal Award went to...

…Ukraine! Despite wartime challenges, they successfully removed three dams and reconnected 200km of rivers in the western Tiza catchment.