The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has launched a new fund for circular economy businesses to help them grow through “fully-funded brand communications, marketing and design support”.
The Circular Economy Innovators Fund is the first of its kind, CIWM said and will help up to six businesses awarded tailored support to the value of £10,000 each to build on their marketing and communications strategy.
The fund is aimed at small and micro businesses based in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. CIWM said this can include businesses promoting initiatives that involve sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible.
CIWM said it is looking for emerging “circular economy innovators” who have established their businesses and are looking to expand and broaden their offering.
The winners of the fund will receive support from an “award-winning” communications agency, Barley Communications, who will work alongside them to understand their needs and develop a tailored brand communications plan and corresponding content for them, CIWM said.
There are many small and micro companies in the sector that have incredible forward-thinking products and services.
Applications are open from today (14 March) until Monday 22 April. Successful applicants will be selected by early summer and winning projects will be featured across CIWM’s content channels later in the year.
Commenting on the launch of the fund, CIWM’s President Dan Cooke said: “CIWM’s purpose is to move the world beyond waste and accelerating the transition to a more circular economy is vital to achieving this.
“The Circular Economy Innovators Fund is the first challenger fund to offer circular economy businesses access to specialist marketing and communications support and expert advice to fast-track their business growth.
“There are many small and micro companies in the sector that have incredible forward-thinking products and services which clearly contribute to greater resource efficiency and a more circular economy.
“But they might welcome help with accessing the skills required to better tell their stories and accelerate their business to the next level. Through partnering with a communications agency that has strategic experts in a wide range of areas, winners can choose which channels of communication they feel they will most benefit from.”
