Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme

Applications Open

€650,000 in funding available to support community groups, social enterprises, and SMEs driving circular economy innovation across Ireland.

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, with responsibility for Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, today 10th September 2025 announced the opening of applications for the 2025 funding round of the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS).

The CEIGS is designed to support innovative circular economy projects led by social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations, and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Since its launch in April 2021, the scheme has awarded €1.8 million to 36 projects, spanning key circular economy themes such as food waste, plastics, single-use packaging, construction, textiles, and general waste.

Following a successful 2024 call, the scheme will once again be administered in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, a philanthropic hub that connects donors, grantees, and communities committed to positive social change. The Foundation will manage the application, evaluation, and administrative processes, and provide ongoing support to successful applicants.

For the 2025 round, €650,000 in total funding is available, with individual grants expected to range between €40,000 and €50,000.

Projects should focus on priority areas for Ireland’s circular economy, including:

• Plastics: Redesigning products or packaging to replace non-recyclable or virgin plastic with recyclable alternatives.
• Construction & Demolition Waste: Creating reusable construction products or enabling selective demolition for material recovery.
• Food Waste: Implementing technical or behavioural interventions to reduce waste in production and commercial settings.
• Resources & Raw Materials: Enhancing recovery of critical raw materials and reducing hazardous substances in products.

Minister Alan Dillon TD said:

“The CEIGS has supported many innovative projects since its inception, each one contributing to Ireland’s efforts to deliver a more circular economy. This call will enable us to extend that support across a broad range of organisations, community groups and SMEs throughout Ireland, accelerating action for the circular economy, and spotlighting truly innovative projects that have the potential to be replicated across the country creating maximum circular impact.”

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland, added:

“Protecting our planet is a priority for us as we work towards achieving our mission of Equality For All in Thriving Communities.

At Community Foundation Ireland, we are delighted to once again support those leading the way in changing how we think about waste, resources and sustainability.

This partnership with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is about backing innovative ideas that support the culture of reuse, repair, and repurpose. We are proud to work with Minister Dillon and all the grantees to make circular economy a reality in communities across Ireland.”

ENDS

The Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme

Full details on the application process for the CEIGS are available here and applications are open until 08th October 2025.