Zero Waste Scotland is investing £18 million as grant funding to small and medium sized enterprises who are helping to create a more circular economy.
Eligibility criteria for the fund are:
-The organisation must be based in Scotland
-Small to medium sized enterprises and-Non-profit organisations (charities and social enterprises)
- The project must be at the commercialisation stage for an innovative circular product or business model that has the ability to deliver carbon savings, leverage investment and create jobs .
-State aid rules apply.
Special focus is placed on:
-Exploration of markets for new circular economy products
-Development of innovative business models for new circular economy products and services
-Development and uptake of innovative technologies, products and services to support a circular economy
The application process happens in two stages:
1. Complete a short Circular Economy Investment Fund Outline Project Proposal Form, focusing on the circular elements of your product/business model, CO2 savings and leveraged investment.
Applications are open throughout the year. You will receive an answer within 30 days of submitting. Your application will be assessed on the basis of:
- Contribution to the Circular Economy: Projects must actively contribute to the development of the circular economy in Scotland through:
a) demonstrating that the project will result in a carbon saving, leveraging investment, job creation or add value to a ‘waste’ product or material;
b) meeting at least one of the objectives of the Fund (see below).
The type of projects anticipated would include those focussing on: innovative CE business models, remanufacturing, re-use, repair, reprocessing, recycling and innovation in the collection of products and materials;
- Project development stage and innovation
Projects must be well advanced along the development pathway. Early-stage research or basic science projects will not be supported. Projects must plan to take a product, model, service, technology or invention towards commercial scale development. Projects must deliver an innovative solution in the theme or sector where the potential benefit has been demonstrated;
-Significant potential for carbon savings
The project must outline the circular economy benefits of the project, this may be a carbon saving or through adding value to a ‘waste’ product or material. Zero Waste Scotland would like to see wherever possible that projects demonstrate how they will offer significant carbon savings and an estimation of what these will be in tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent);
2. If your stage 1 application has been succesfull, you will be called to submit a stage 2 application that will require all the financial details for your project. This years' deadlines for the stage 2 application are April 10, June 5, August 14, October 16.
For more information visit Zero Waste Scotland. Contact the Circular Tayside manager for guidance in the application process.