Building a Circular Community - Grant Scheme 2026

We are accepting applications for our Building a Circular Community Grant Scheme 2026 .

This initiative will support local action on the prevention of waste at its source, including reducing single-use items, separating food waste, and fostering awareness about sustainable consumption.

What is a circular community

A circular community works to prevent waste, including reducing the use of single‑use materials. It also aims to improve waste separation into General Waste, Recycling and Food Waste. A circular community encourages people to reuse items and keep resources in circulation locally, instead of throwing them away.

Who can apply

The 2026 Grant Scheme will support small to medium sized community groups including:

• Tidy Towns groups
• Community Development Associations
• Community festivals and events
• Primary and secondary schools
• Family Resource Centres
• Parents Associations
• Youth groups
• Sports Clubs
• Other community or voluntary groups

Eligible projects

The 2026 Grant Scheme will support community led projects that:

• Reduce single‑use catering items, including cups, by implementing a “collect, wash, return” system
• Take part in the Circular Cups for Community Events initiative. Please note that the refundable deposit will not be covered by this grant scheme; however, ideas or measures to encourage the return of cups are eligible.
• Allow for the sharing of reusable catering supplies or reusable party/event packs within the community
• Work with local business to reduce single use catering items
• Improve waste separation into General Waste, Recycling and Food Waste through the provision of clear reusable signage and awareness raising .
• Raise awareness of the impacts of fast fashion
• Encourage the reuse and sale of second hand clothing
• Purchase paint for use in community buildings from suppliers listed through the Paint Reuse Network. The nearest supplier to Clare is Tait House, which collects water‑based paint from Shannon Recycling Centre for remixing, reuse and redistribution.

Funding for projects that are NOT eligible

The 2026 Grant Scheme will not include funding for:

• Bins, bin infrastructure or storage areas
• Indoor or outdoor water refill stations
• Compostable single use packaging
• Projects that give away or sell reusable items, including cups or bottles. Note: “Collect, Wash, Return” cup projects are eligible
• Composting systems
• Anaerobic digesters
• Staff costs

Funding rules

The total fund available is €18,000. The maximum funding per application is €1000. Only groups can apply. Each group may submit one application. To keep things fair an educator can support only one application. An educator is anyone who delivers talks, runs workshops or teaches skills, including art, repair, recycling, bike repair, textile upcycling or other hands on activities.

This grant scheme is competitive and each project will be assessed for funding. The deadline for project completion reports is Monday, 2nd November 2026. Payment will be made in full once the project completion report is received.

Grant application assessment

Each application is scored out of 50 points. A minimum of 30 points is required to be eligible for a grant.

1. Project alignment (25%)

Does the project clearly address waste prevention, improving waste separation into General Waste, Recycling and Food Waste, or sustainable consumption?

2. Partnership arrangements & community impact (25%)

Does the project involve working with businesses, schools, charities, community or voluntary groups? How many people will benefit? Will the project raise awareness about preventing waste and keeping resources in use? Will it create lasting change?

3. Feasibility & readiness (20%)

Is the project well-planned and achievable within the timeframe?

4. Value for money (15%)

Is the budget reasonable? Does it maximise impact?

5. Innovation & replicability (15%)

Is the idea new or can it be repeated in other communities?

How to Apply

To ensure fairness and transparency, only the group can submit the application. Applications submitted by third parties will not be considered. Applications can be submitted online using the form below. The closing date is the 17th April 2026.