Building a Circular Community - Grant Scheme 2025

We are accepting applications for our Building a Circular Community - Grant Scheme 2025.
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 does a circular community look like?

A circular community focuses on:

• Preventing the generation of waste, including reducing single-use materials
• Separating and managing food waste effectively within the community
• Encouraging sustainable practices to reuse and circulate resources locally instead of disposing of them

Eligible projects

The 2025 Grant Scheme will prioritise community led projects that promote waste prevention, food waste separation and fast fashion awareness. All projects must demonstrate collaboration and partnership with other groups or organisations.

Eligible projects include:

1. Greener Festivals & Events – Initiatives that reduce single-use materials and implement food waste separation at festivals and events. This includes innovative systems for reusable cup take back and washing as well as the design and production of reusable signage to support effective waste segregation.
   
   
2. Green Schools – Schools participating in the An Taisce Green Schools Programme with a focus on reducing and preventing waste, including food waste separation.
   
   
3. Green Clubs – Clubs engaged in sustainability efforts, particularly those that intend reducing reliance on single-use items and promoting three tier separation of waste to food waste, recycling and general waste.
   
   
4. Fast Fashion Awareness Campaigns – Community or school-led events and workshops that raise awareness of fast fashion’s environmental impact and encourage the sale and reuse of second-hand clothing.
   
   
5. Sustainable Community Halls & Buildings – Projects that minimise single-use catering items and introduce food waste separation at community events, meetings, and gatherings. This may include the use of reusable catering supplies or the development of reusable party / event packs.
   
   
6. Sustainable Communities – Initiatives that collaborate with local business to reduce single-use takeaway cups from cafes, restaurants, bars and other food and drink vendors.

Please note that indoor and outdoor fixed capital projects including water refill stations, bins or composting / anaerobic digestors are NOT eligible considered for funding under this grant scheme.

Funding allocation

The total fund available is €18,000 The maximum funding available per application is €1,500. Only one application will be accepted per group.

This grant scheme is competitive and where the number of eligible applications exceeds available funding we will apply the following criteria:

1. Minimum score requirement - Applications must score at least 35 out of 50 on the evaluation criteria
   
   
2. Geographic and group diversity - To ensure fair distribution we may prioritise geographic area and organisations to ensure wider community impact.

Payment will be made in full on receipt of a project completion report. Deadline for project completion reports to be submitted is Monday 3rd November 2025.

Grant application scoring template

Each application will be scored out of 50 points to ensure fair and impactful funding decisions.

1. Project alignment (25%)
   Does the project clearly address waste prevention, food waste separation, or sustainable consumption
   
   Score: 0-5
   
   
   • 0-1: The project does not clearly align with these goals.
   • 2-3: Some alignment, but unclear or lacks detail.
   • 4-5: Strong alignment, well-integrated into project objectives.
     
     
2. Partnership arrangements and community impact (25%)
   How many people will benefit? Does your project involve working with in partnership with local business, schools, charities, community and voluntary groups. Will your project raise awareness about the importance of keeping items in use longer and taking steps to prevent the generation of waste in your local community. Will this project create lasting change?
   
   Score: 0-5
   
   
   • 0-1: Limited impact or unclear benefits.
   • 2-3: Moderate impact, benefits a specific group
   • 4-5: Broad impact, benefits a larger community or has long-term potential.
     
     
3. Feasibility & readiness (20%)
   Is the project well-planned and achievable within the given timeframe?
   
   Score: 0-5
   
   
   • 0-1: Weak plan, unclear steps or unrealistic goals.
   • 2-3: Some planning, but areas need clarification.
   • 4-5: Clear, realistic plan with achievable steps.
     
     
4. Value for money (15%)
   
   Is the budget reasonable? Does it maximize impact?
   
   Score: 0-5
   
   
   • 0-1: Budget unclear or unrealistic.
   • 2-3: Costs somewhat justified, but lacks detail.
   • 4-5: Budget is well-explained and ensures efficient use of funds.
     
     
5. Innovation & replicability (15%)
   Is the idea unique or can it be replicated in other communities?
   
   Score: 0-5
   
   
   • 0-1: Not innovative or difficult to replicate.
   • 2-3: Some unique elements, but limited scalability.
   • 4-5: Highly innovative and can be applied in other communities.

How to apply

This funding is open to small to medium-sized community project proposals from tidy town groups, community development associations, green schools, youth groups, green clubs, or other community and voluntary groups.

Submit your application online using the form below. The closing date for submissions is 5 p.m. on the 2nd May 2025.