The Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility Launches 2025 Community Fund

Local community groups and parish organisations are invited to apply for a portion of funding from a £33,500 pot as the annual Community Fund is launched by the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility.

This initiative provides grants for projects that deliver environmental, social, or community benefits across Hunts Grove, Hardwicke, Quedgeley, Brookthorpe-with-Whaddon, Haresfield, Harescombe, Standish, Moreton Valence, and Whitminster. Groups are invited to apply for full or part funding.

standish arch, previous funding project recipient

Over the past five years, the facility has allocated more than £190,000 to the Community Fund, to support initiatives that enhance community spaces, services, and facilities. Previous funding has helped to install defibrillators, refurbish village halls, and improve accessibility, such as the ramp added to Quedgeley Village Hall following a successful application in 2021.

The fund has also supported projects like the installation of new external doors at Haresfield Village Hall in 2023, making the hall warmer and allowing a wider variety of classes to be held there. Quedgeley RAF Cadets have benefited from funding for climbing equipment, and Little Stars, a local mother and toddler group, received funding to purchase early years furniture to enhance their offering.

FCC Environment, the contracted operator of the Facility, funds the initiative whilst undertaking minor administrative duties for the application process. £25,000 was originally allocated for projects at the commencement of operations at the Facility in 2019, however the total value of the Community Fund will increase each year throughout the life of the project by the Retail Price Index. In 2024 circa £32,500 was allocated to the successful projects.

While FCC Environment administers the application process, funding decisions are made independently by committee representatives from the Community Liaison Group, which includes representatives from local Parish Councils, District and County Councils, and residents.

Juergen Schaper, Operations Director (Energy Division) at FCC Environment, said:
“The Community Fund has made a meaningful impact on local initiatives, helping to bring important projects to life. It’s fantastic to see how past recipients have used the funding to benefit their communities, and we look forward to supporting more great projects this year. If you know of a local initiative that could benefit, we encourage them to apply.”

Applications for the 2025 Community Fund close on the 10th August 2025. For further details and to apply, download the Application Form www.gloucestershireefw.co.uk/community-fund

For all enquiries, please email community_fund@fccenvironment.co.uk or call 01452 379 886.