Konree is proud to announce its success in the Circular Economy Innovation Fund Call 2024.
The Circular Economy Innovation Fund 2024, previously administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), is a collaboration between Community Foundation Ireland and the Government of Ireland.
The purpose of this Fund is to provide financial support to projects that are working on innovative and/or scalable solutions to ensure waste prevention, with the aim of advancing the circular economy in Ireland and raising awareness of the need to transition to a circular economy.
By funding circular economy projects and enterprises, the Fund directly supports the growth of the circular economy in Ireland and provides high-profile examples of best practice.
In 2024, €650,000 was awarded in grants to 13 charities, social enterprises and small / medium businesses developing or showcasing models of best practice by incorporating the features of a circular economy – for more information please go to link.
About Community Foundation Ireland
The Foundation is built upon four pillars: Empowering Generations, Sustainable Futures, Inclusive Communities and Accelerating Change.
Through our many partnerships we are working towards an Ireland where barriers are broken down and communities are empowered to thrive. Working with you, other non-profits and donors we are committed to making this vision a reality.
Features of a Circular Economy
A circular economy incorporates the following features:
- Eco-design, manufacture and use of products that are resource-efficient, durable, repairable, re-usable and upgradable.
- Reduction of waste generation and the presence of hazardous substances in materials and products.
- Encouraging remanufacturing, refurbishment, and repurposing of products.
- Maximising repairing for re-use, valorisation of residuals, industrial symbiosis and recycling.
- Maximising the recovery of EU list of 27 critical raw materials and alleviating reliance of imports.
- Encouraging repair and reuse of products / materials.
- Encouraging new business models to optimise capacity utilisation and extend useful life of products and assets such as sharing / leasing platforms and take back services.
- Encouraging ICT tools to extend the life of products and assets.
- Ensuring waste is valued and closing the loop.
The objectives of this grant round were:
- To support the development or showcasing of models of best practice focused on waste prevention in the four thematic areas (see below).
- To support regional as well as national projects that will have a significant impact on materials or waste streams.
- To encourage innovation within the circular economy space in Ireland.
- To support projects that can be scaled up or replicated across the country.
Thematic Areas
The grant round was open to applications for projects working on waste prevention in the following thematic areas:
- Plastic Waste
- Construction and Demolition Waste
- Food Waste
- Resources and Raw Materials Waste (Electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, furniture)
