Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility launches 2024 Community Fund

The Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility has announced that applications for its 2024 Community Fund are now open. The Fund is made available annually and provides financial grants to support projects that have environmental, social and/or community benefits to local community groups in Hunts Grove, Hardwicke, Quedgeley, Brookthorpe-with-Whaddon, Haresfield, Harescombe, Standish, Moreton Valence, and Whitminster.

Since 2019, the Fund has allocated financial grants worth over £138,000 to support nearly 50 projects from constituted community groups and parish organisations across the local area. In 2023 grants were awarded to 12 recipients for a range of projects. These included Hardwicke AFC who were able to invest in spectator railings for their football field, the Little Stars toddler group who used their funds to purchase early years furniture, and the Royal Air Force Cadets in Quedgeley who received climbing equipment to support their activities. 

Representatives of the Community Liaison Group, composed of local Parish Councils, District and County Council members, and residents, evaluate all applications and decide how the Community Fund is allocated. Urbaser, the contracted operator of the Facility, funds the initiative whilst undertaking minor administrative works, but is not involved in setting the criteria for applications or the evaluation and decision-making of entries. The total amount available for projects in 2024 is circa £32,500, with the value of the fund increasing each year along with indexation. 

A representative of the Community Fund said: 

“It’s been wonderful to see the difference the Community Fund has made over these past few years, allowing us to provide financial support to so many valuable projects across the local area. If you, or anyone you know, are aware of any projects that could benefit from the Fund, please do get in touch.  We can’t wait to see this year’s crop of applications.” 

Applications for the Community Fund will close at the end of July 2024. For more information and to apply for the Fund, download the Application Form here.

For all enquiries, please email communityfund@ubbgloucestershire.co.uk. For news and more information about future events, join the Facility’s Facebook Group, visit their website, or sign up for the mailing list for their quarterly Newsletter.