LONA – Wetland projects
Grants for municipalities to create or restore wetlands that reduce emissions, help manage water flows or support climate adaptation and biodiversity.
Tato příležitost je nyní dostupná v angličtině.
LONA can fund ditch blocking, new ponds and wetlands, restored floodplains and preparatory studies. Wetland measures can receive up to 90% of eligible costs. In a mixed project, ordinary nature-conservation measures such as an adjoining birdwatching tower remain limited to 50%.
The remaining share can come from the municipality or partners through cash or eligible work. Volunteer time can count toward co-funding at up to SEK 200 per hour, but is not reimbursed. The grant cannot exceed actual costs. At least 25% of the awarded grant is held until the project is finally reported.
Eligibility
Swedish municipalities can apply individually. A joint application requires measures in every participating municipality and an assessment that joint funding is appropriate. A joint municipal authority (kommunalförbund) can also apply if the municipality has delegated the environmental responsibility covered by the application; it need not delegate all nature-conservation responsibilities. Municipal companies and municipal or regional foundations cannot lead a project. Associations, landowners and other local actors can initiate and run projects by agreement with the municipality, which remains legally and financially responsible. Work can take place on private land; obtain the owner’s permission if they are not participating.
- The funded activity must not have a profit-making purpose. Businesses can co-fund or carry out work, including as paid contractors, subject to public procurement and state-aid rules.
- Do not start funded measures before the county administrative board awards the grant. Relevant earlier wetland preparation can count only as co-funding, not reimbursement, if carried out and paid for by the same applicant; the county assesses its relevance.
- Legally required work and costs already covered by another statutory support scheme cannot be funded. Routine ongoing maintenance, land purchases or landowner compensation, overheads and deductible VAT are excluded. VAT can qualify where the buyer cannot deduct it.
- Co-funding cannot include the land’s value, donated timber or free use of premises, or money from the national appropriation for valuable nature, budget line 1:3. Other compatible grants can contribute without paying for the same costs twice.
- Projects should normally last no more than four years. The county may exceptionally extend them for acceptable reasons, such as delayed permits.
How to apply
- Stav
- uzavírá se 1. 12. 2026
- Uzavírá se
- Omezení kola
- Projects starting in 2027; formal signed application must reach the county.
If you are a local initiator, work with your municipality on the application. The municipality registers and submits it in the LONA service, then sends a copy signed by an authorised municipal representative, with attachments and co-funding certificates, to the county administrative board. This signed copy is the formal application; the county specifies digital or postal delivery.
Apply by December 1, 2026 for projects starting in 2027. Describe the actions, methods, expected environmental results, local participation, long-term care, timetable, costs and any other public support requested or awarded. Submit to the county where the project will mainly take place.
Report each year’s work to the county by March 1 of the following year. Submit the final report within three months of the project end, including costs, results, compliance with award conditions and further monitoring. The county then determines the final grant; material unapproved changes or failure to meet conditions can lead to repayment.