The Welsh Assembly has announced a £3 million “Cylch capacity building investment fund” which will provide strategic support for Welsh recycling and reuse enterprises which wish to grow their business operations.
I want to see a strong and thriving Social Enterprise sector that can stand on its own two feet
Jane Davidson AM
And, a multi-million pound capacity building programme for English reuse and recycling organisations is to be launched at the Community Recycling Network's annual conference in London on June 4, which will be delivered by WRAP.
Wales
In Wales, £2 million will be allocated as very competitive business loans, while a further £1 million will be used to provide grants for business development.
The Welsh Assembly is also considering introducing statutory recycling targets as part of the next waste strategy for Wales – indicating a shift in government direction.
Announcing the Welsh fund on Tuesday night, environment minister Jane Davidson said: “It is important to stress that this fund is intended to build capacity in Social Enterprises for the future. I want to see a strong and thriving Social Enterprise sector that can stand on its own two feet. I hope and expect to see Social Enterprises winning contracts across Wales.”
Mal Williams, chief executive of Welsh community recycling network CYLCH, said: “This is a massive and timely boost for our recycling and re-use efforts in Wales. Community recycling is essentially about people, getting everybody involved and getting the benefit back to the community as a whole.
“The benefits for households on low incomes or in emergency need of furniture are plain to see if you visit any of our members. This fund will help our aim to make Wales a Zero Waste society enormously,” he added.
England
In England, the London Community Recycling Network explained that the new capacity building programme will not include grants but instead offer advice and business support services to third sector organisations in a bid to make them more business-minded.
The programme will be delivered by Waste and Resources Action Programme in partnership with third sector organisations.
A statement from the London Community Recycling Network (LCRN) said: “The focus will be on the further development of the sector through a comprehensive range of business development services that will take the potential of the third sector recycling and reuse organisations across England to a new level.”
Conference
The CRN conference, which is run partnership with the LCRN, will be entitled People and Resources: Third Sector, First Choice and will celebrate the innovation and success across the community recycling sector from small charities to successful social enterprises.
A speech will be delivered at the event in support of the sector by environment secretary Hilary Benn.
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