£165k fund launched to empower communities in fight against waste
Community groups in the Liverpool City Region are invited to apply for a share of £165,000 to support innovative projects that reduce waste and promote a greener future.
The Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26 - managed by Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority and Veolia - provides funding for community and voluntary groups, social enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations to implement projects that minimise household waste, maximise recycling and resource reuse, and mitigate carbon emissions.
Grants of up to £30,000 are available for projects that benefit at least four districts within the City Region, while grants between £1,000 and £8,000 are available for projects focused on a single local authority area.
We deeply value our partnerships with the region's dedicated community groups. They are the heart of our communities, actively working to create a positive environmental impact. By empowering these groups to address local waste challenges, we not only benefit the environment but also foster a greater appreciation for resources and the value of reducing waste.
Bids must tackle one or more of the five priority household waste materials which have been identified by MRWA as key, namely WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment), Food, Textiles, Plastics and Furniture. An analysis* of waste in the region highlighted that a greater amount of these materials could be re-used or recycled. Projects can also include other household waste materials, for example paper or metals.
Previous Community Fund projects have included local recycling guidebooks, lending libraries, repair cafes, cookery clubs to support healthy eating and reduce food waste, fruit and veg gleaning, restoring old furniture to sell for charity and refurbishing unwanted rugs for resale.
One organisation to have previously received funding is Wirral Environmental Network (WEN), who were awarded £6300 for their Clothes Swap Cafes project, which aimed to reduce textiles waste through clothes swap events, sewing and repair workshops, and educational activities.
Interested groups can apply to the Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26 here
The deadline for submissions is 11.59pm on Sunday 9th March 2025.
Successful projects should receive the funding by mid-April 2025 and will have to deliver their schemes by March 2026.
Organisations interested in this year’s Community Fund can:
- Apply online at https://www.merseysidewda.gov.uk/zero-waste-community-fund/
- Contact the Authority: Community.fund@merseysidewda.gov.uk
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS - Sunday 9th March 2025, 11.59pm
