Community-led projects in Greater Manchester that give everyday household essentials a new lease of life can bid for up to £20,000 funding.
The Renew Community Fund, part of the UK’s largest reuse initiative Renew Greater Manchester, provides grants to local projects that mend, fix, share, pass on or make better use of things that might otherwise be thrown away.
The cost-of-living and increased pressure on household budgets can make it harder for families to afford everyday essentials such as furniture, electronics, toys and uniforms. At the same time, useful items are often thrown away rather than being passed on or fixed, as the skills needed to mend them have been lost.
The Renew Community Fund provides grants of £1,000 to £20,000 for local groups to lead projects such as repair workshops, tool or toy libraries, clothes swaps, furniture upcycling projects or community sharing events.
It is administered by Renew Greater Manchester, a scheme that takes preloved items donated by residents at recycling centres and repairs, refurbishes or upcycles and sells them, with money raised reinvested back into local communities. Renew Greater Manchester is operated in partnership between Recycle for Greater Manchester/GMCA and waste and resources company SUEZ.
Since launching in 2021, the Fund has awarded over £1 million to more than 100 projects, helping communities save money, learn new skills and reduce waste.
Open for applications from now until Thursday, August 6, groups can apply for their share of £200,000. Charities, community or voluntary groups, CICs, not-for-profit organisations, faith groups delivering community work, schools, colleges and universities are eligible to apply. Organisations that have applied in previous years are welcome to submit their ideas again.
Projects must be delivered within the Greater Manchester districts of Bury, Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford*.
This year, applications are being managed through the ActionFunder platform, making it quicker and easier for organisations to apply and access other relevant funding opportunities.
Daniel Carolan, Greater Manchester Contract Director for SUEZ, said:
“We’re proud to support the Renew Community Fund and the impact it continues to have across Greater Manchester.
“By turning donated items into funding for local projects, Renew is helping to reduce waste while supporting communities to learn new skills, connect with others and build resilience.”
“We’re excited to see what creative and inspiring ideas come forward this year.”
Previously funded projects include groups that have supported families facing cost-of-living pressures through baby banks and school uniform schemes, while others have worked to change attitudes to reuse and reduce stigma. Local repair cafés and workshops have given residents the skills and confidence to fix everyday items, while informal courses in sewing and upcycling have helped people build practical skills and explore new opportunities.
