Circular Pilot Grant Program in United Kingdom

Deadline: 18-Jul-21

The Mayor of London is offering grants to London-based SMEs who need support in kickstarting a circular economy pilot as part of their recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aims of the Circular Pilot funding

Support London SMEs to join in the green recovery by implementing circular economy pilots.
Safeguard existing circular economy jobs and increase the likelihood of more being created.
Create a positive environmental impact within London in terms of waste reduction or increased recycling.

Support Available

Grants of £10,000 or £15,000 are available for 30 eligible SMEs.
All SMEs will initially apply for a £10k grant and those demonstrating that the £15k grant will elevate the project (for example though expansion of the pilot scope) will be rioritised for the larger amount. SMEs working in partnership with another SME to pilot a new initiative, or those able to demonstrate match funding for the project (from internal or external sources) will be more likely to be awarded the larger amount.
All grant awardees will receive a diagnostic support session and a number of these will be selected for specialist additional support from a ReLondon business advisor. The awardees selected will be required to attend a tailored programme of support, designed by the ReLondon team, to help them get the best from their pilot.
Successful SMEs will receive 75% of the grant amount immediately, with the remaining 25% being paid after approximately 3 months, on receipt of a pilot status report.

What will be funded

To be eligible for funding, pilots must fit with one or more of our circular business models:

Using stuff wisely — minimising waste through better planning, making the most out of every last scrap of material or not making things at all.
Using stuff again — recovering materials for recycling and re-use at the end of their first life, incentivising product takeback, making things from others’ waste or recycled materials and reselling preloved stuff.
Making things well — designing things to last as long as possible, making them durable and flexible, and ensuring that they can be maintained, re- used and repaired; or ensuring they are recyclable, renewable or compostable at end of life.
Renting, not buying — offering items to lease, rent or through a subscription model, while retaining ownership and managing the maintenance, repair, and recycling of products.
Sharing — peer-to-peer lending and borrowing to get maximum value and use out of under-utilised products, buildings and vehicles.

Eligibility Criteria

Recipients will be established, revenue generating businesses that are looking to accelerate their growth by launching circular pilots that optimise resource use, minimise costs and generate new revenue.
Successful applicants will launch a pilot initiative that:
- Has potential to grow the business through reduced costs, creating new products or services, or entering new markets; and
- Contributes to job creation within the business as a direct or indirect result of implementing a pilot project, generating growth in the medium-to-long term; and
- Creates a positive environmental impact in London by reducing waste production or increasing recycling/reuse with the aim of reducing consumption-based emissions.
Applications are open to businesses that:
- Meet the definition of an SME
- Are a legally registered entity (with Companies House, or other)
- Can demonstrate a registered or trading address in London
- Have an annual revenue of over £100k.
- (Allowance will be made for short term revenue reduction from March 2020 due to Covid-19 impacts where demonstrated to be temporary based on 3 years of financial statements.
- Employ 3 or more people
- Have a circular pilot project concept which can commence in or around September/October 2021 and that will create new activities for the business (and not simply expand an existing model)
- Have designed their pilot project concept around one or more of the circular business models defined by ReLondon
- Have not received more than £350,000 worth of assistance from a public body (financial or equivalent) in the last 3 fiscal years and will not exceed this threshold if awarded a £10k or £15k grant.