Fund reopens with ‘Renewed’ purpose for £20k grants

The funding comes as part of the Recycle for Greater Manchester Community Fund which has rebranded as the Renew Community Fund. 

In its first four years, the fund has supported 89 projects with a total of £880,000 in funding. 

With the rebrand, the fund is looking to support projects that align with its “Renew principles”.  

Councillor Tom Ross, Greater Manchester lead for waste and recycling, said: “The Renew Community Fund aims to increase the number of projects providing repair and sharing services to make it easier to get your items repaired or to buy something second hand.” 

The funding comes from the proceeds of Suez’s Renew Hub in Greater Manchester. 

Two different award categories for the fund are available: 

• Small grants between £2,000 and £10,000, with a total of £180,000 available 

• Large grants between £10,000 and £20,000, with a total of £40,000 available 

Applications are now open and close at 12pm on Friday 30 May. 

Who can apply for the Renew Community Fund? 

Projects should focus on activities that make fixing, donating, sharing, borrowing and buying pre-loved or second-hand items a normal part of everyday life. 

Any community group within these areas can apply including voluntary and faith groups, schools, colleges, universities, charities and other non-profit organisations. 

The fund is available to groups in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford. 

It is not available to groups from Wigan as they operate a separate waste disposal arrangement. 

Previous recipients  

Projects that have received funding in the past include the Manchester Library of Things in Levenshulme. 

The library provides a place for residents to borrow most types of power tools and household equipment rather than buying their own. 

Other initiatives include bike repair, laptop repair, repair cafés and school uniform redistribution services. 

Ross added: “When we fix something, borrow something instead of buying it, or buy second hand instead of new, we’re keeping these items in use and saving precious resources.”