Supporting capacity and capability of organisations working to improve freshwater environments

30 November 2021

To help us make progress towards our impact goal of ‘clean and healthy freshwater’, we commissioned the Cardiff University Water Research Institute to undertake a review of organisations working to restore the freshwater environment across the UK.

View the report in full screen or download by clicking the the download button.

One of the biggest challenges to the UK environment is the poor state of freshwater and the amplifying impact of climate change on it. We commissioned this report to understand what issues people in the sector saw as the most important to make progress on, and the degree of consensus around them.

This report will help to inform how we direct our resources towards healthy freshwater so that they will have the greatest effect. We also hope it will be useful for others working in this area.

We’re grateful to Cardiff University Water Research Institute, and the individuals and organisations that contributed their expertise.

Learn more

Latest

You might be interested in

  • Nudge Community Builders-Union Street Party 2023 (Hanna Collins)
    06 October 2026

    Community-driven enterprise and regeneration review: Invitation to tender

    We are looking to work with an external consultant or organisation to review our work and funding towards our Community-driven enterprise and regeneration priority.

    Read more
  • View from a hillside over a patchwork countryside of green fields and hedgerows, with a winding road through trees and distant hills beneath cloudy skies-Stroud

    Is resilience the new greenwash?

    Esmée’s Director of Our Natural World, Liam McAleese, reflects on growing concerns about climate-related risks in food and farming and what genuine resilience means. He also shares how we’re thinking about this in our work on nature-friendly farming, as well our role as an investor.

    Read more
  • The Warren Youth Project crew in Hull after their Good Night Out Campaign training session

    Pre-application Q&A webinar: 28 September 2026

    Watch a pre-application Q&A webinar we held on 28 September for organisations interested in applying to Esmée for support who have questions about our application process or guidance.

    Read more
  • IMG_4446 (1)

    Involving young people at Esmée: The journey so far

    Since 2020, we have worked closely with the Involving Young People Collective to involve young people more directly in our work, and this report reflects on our five-year journey, the impact of the partnership and what we have learned along the way.

    Read more