Environment

Circular Economy Fund

About the Fund

The Circular Economy Fund is intended to support communities to make a move from the traditional linear ‘take-make-use-dispose’ model towards a ‘circular economy’ where resources are reused or recycled as much as possible, and the generation of waste is minimised.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants in the Cork County Council Administrative area include:

  • Schools
  • Community Groups and Sports Clubs
  • Festivals and Events

Important: Commercial, for-profit bodies will not be eligible.

Theme

The focus of the 2024 inaugural fund is on the reduction of Single Use Plastics (SUPs) in communities. Only applications from this theme will be assessed.

We invite applications from the above organisations who wish to make drinking water more accessible and therefore reduce Single Use Plastics in their communities.

This fund builds on the successful engagement between Cork County Council and community groups which has seen 35 water refill stations installed in schools and community buildings and mobile hydration stations piloted at events across the county.

To Apply

Applications can be made online.

Click to Apply

Please note there is no guarantee of funding for projects. The fund is limited, and eligible applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis. An equity/fairness approach will be taken by Cork County Council and as a result, successful applicants may be awarded less funding than they applied for.

Quotes in applicants group name must be sought in advance of applying to the fund and must be uploaded to the application form.

This is the only opportunity for the above organisations to apply for funding for projects related to the reduction of Single Use Plastics, no other applications will be accepted outside of this fund.

Deadline for Applications

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 25th April 2024. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Deadline for Project Completion and Submission of Report:

NB: The grant will be paid in one instalment on completion of the project and submission of a report to Cork County Council by the deadlines below:

  • Schools /Community Groups / Sports Clubs – 1 November 2024
  • Events / Festivals - 30 days after festival date

Further Information

Questions can be directed to the Cork County Council’s Environmental Awareness Office at cefund@corkcoco.ie or (021) 453 2700.