CALLING all waste-reduction enthusiasts! Essex County Council’s Love Essex team is offering £500 micro-grants to support innovative projects and ideas that reduce household waste.

Since 2019, the council has supported 157 community projects through the Love Essex Fund. The micro-grants are intended to help organisations, individuals, and schools with both new and existing projects. This year, up to £20,000 is available to support projects that encourage residents to reuse and repair items.

Last year, funding was awarded to more than 30 projects, including:

repair cafés
refill shops
textiles and toy redistribution groups
bike, furniture, and electronics repair organisations
clothes swap events
Councillor Peter Schwier, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling, said:

“I am delighted to announce that the Love Essex Fund has returned for 2025. In line with the Waste Strategy for Essex, we have committed to support activities that promote repair and sharing of pre-loved items.

This is the perfect opportunity for us to help the fantastic community projects that reduce waste and encourage reuse and repair in our area.”

To apply for a micro-grant, visit the Love Essex Fund webpage. Applicants will need to provide a brief description of the project and a breakdown of how they plan to spend the micro-grant.

Don’t miss out! Applications close on 9 February 2025.

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The Love Essex Fund is open for applications from Monday 6 January to Sunday 9 February 2025.

Funding is only available to Essex-based projects that reduce household waste and encourage reuse or repair.

The funding is intended to help get new small-scale projects off the ground, or to help expand existing projects.