The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) is delighted to announce it has received funding through the Heritage Council’s Organisation Support Fund 2025 for our project “Strategic Coordination and Digital Support for Ireland’s Marine Biodiversity.”
This key initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of heritage-focused organisations across Ireland, enabling long-term, sustainable impact in the protection and promotion of our shared natural heritage.
The funding will allow IWDG to enhance our internal coordination, futureproof our digital systems, and better support the delivery of our national marine biodiversity programmes. These include the All-Island Stranding and Sighting Schemes, The Shannon Dolphin Project and WhaleTrack Ireland, which play a vital role in monitoring and conserving Ireland’s cetaceans and their habitats.
By investing in digital infrastructure and strategic planning, the project will improve how IWDG collects, manages, and shares critical marine data with the public, researchers, and policymakers. It will also help build stronger connections across our volunteer and citizen science networks, ensuring that communities remain at the heart of marine conservation.
We are sincerely grateful to The Heritage Council for supporting this important work and recognising the essential role that marine biodiversity plays in Ireland’s natural heritage. With this funding, IWDG will continue to safeguard, understand, and celebrate the incredible whales, dolphins, and porpoises found in Irish waters.
Csilla Trungel – Coordination and Communication Officer