Local groups invited to apply for grants for environmental projects

Grants of up to £500 to benefit local communities and the environment are up for grabs through a partnership between Derbyshire County Council and its waste contractor Associated Waste Management (AWM).

Funding will be made available to 14 Derbyshire and Derby groups to support projects that encourage waste reduction, recycling and sustainability.

Local community or volunteering groups, Community Interest Companies (CICs), not for profit organisations and registered charities looking to fund an environmental or sustainability themed project are welcome to apply for the community fund.

Applications for the one-off grant can be made online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/wastesocialvalue until 30th September 2026.

The scope of the funding is wide but could include things like buying gardening equipment, creating or enhancing community gardens for people and wildlife, adding a recycled bench, putting up bird boxes, or setting up an event to encourage upcycling and reuse.

Judges from the county and city councils and AWM will be looking for projects that really pack a punch in terms for value for money, impact on the local environment and involvement with the local community.

Councillor Carol Wood, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We know that groups on the ground have the best knowledge about what could help their local communities and we welcome this funding from AWM to support environmental improvements – underpinning our commitment to help make Derbyshire a great place to live, work and visit.”

Successful applicants must spend their grants within six months of the project launch date and no more than one grant will be awarded per organisation.

Associated Waste Management (AWM) is a subsidiary of Panda Recycling.