Community groups across Waterford encouraged to apply for 'empowering' environmental grants

Waterford City and County Council is inviting community groups across the county to apply for two funding opportunities aimed at supporting practical, community-led environmental action in 2026.

The Anti-Litter Awareness Grant 2026 and the Local Circular Economy Grant 2026 are now open for applications, with a closing date of 5pm on Tuesday, March 31.

Both grants are open to community groups, youth groups, schools, sports clubs and other community-based organisations located in County Waterford.

The Anti-Litter Awareness Grant supports initiatives that prevent and reduce litter and graffiti in local communities. Projects may focus on awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, clean-up activities or preventative measures that improve local environments and foster community pride. 

Details and the application form are available here. 

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The Local Circular Economy Grant supports projects promoting waste prevention, reuse and repair at community level. The primary focus for 2026 is on repair and reuse initiatives, with priority given to projects such as repair cafés, skills workshops, tool libraries, toy libraries, clothes swaps and initiatives that reduce reliance on single-use items.

A strong example of the type of initiative encouraged under this grant is the Circular Cups for Communities programme, a reusable cup scheme designed to reduce single-use cup waste at festivals, sports events and community gatherings. By replacing disposable cups with reusable alternatives, community events can significantly reduce waste while demonstrating practical sustainability in action. Full details on the initiative are available here. 

Further details and the application form are also available here.

Ella Ryan, Environmental Awareness Officer with Waterford City and County Council, said: “Real and lasting environmental change happens at local level. These grants are about empowering communities to take practical action, whether that’s tackling litter in their area or developing repair and reuse initiatives that reduce waste. We encourage groups across Waterford to get involved and bring forward ideas that can make a meaningful difference in their communities.”

These grants form part of Waterford City and County Council’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and supporting community-led environmental leadership.