A second round of Cork County Council’s Circular Economy Fund, with the aim of empowering local action to reduce waste, has been launched. The fund aims to support communities to move away from the traditional linear ‘take-make-use-dispose’ model towards more circular living where resources are reused or recycled.
This year, schools, community groups, sports clubs and festivals are invited to submit proposals aimed at minimising single use plastics. These plastic materials pose a significant threat to our environment, contributing to pollution in our oceans and harming wildlife.
With an increasing demand from the public to reduce single use plastics and a desire from communities to act, the fund will support projects such as the installation of temporary or permanent water refill stations or reusable cup or container schemes in schools, community buildings, sports clubs and at festivals.
The Council hopes to build on the success of recent years, which has seen over 40 water refill stations installed in schools and community buildings, as well as numerous pilot mobile hydration stations at events across the county.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll welcomed the return of the fund.
“Reducing single use plastics is an important step in our journey to cutting waste, conserving resources, and protecting our environment. Cork County Council’s Circular Economy Fund is designed to support communities in their transition to more sustainable practices. We have already seen many successful projects from community groups in the first year of this fund and I look forward to seeing many more this year.”
Applications for the Circular Economy Fund are now open and will be accepted online until Friday, 21st February at 5pm. Eligible applicants in the Cork County Council administrative area include schools, community groups, sports clubs, festivals and events. Commercial, for-profit bodies are not eligible. Only applications addressing the single use plastics theme will be assessed in the 2025 Fund, the ambition is to focus on a wider range of circular themes in future years.
For further information and to apply, visit the Council’s website at www.corkcoco.ie or contact Cork County Council’s Environmental Awareness Office at cefund@corkcoco.ie or 021 4532700.
