Circular Communication Grants - Terms

Project Eligibility Criteria 

Circular.ie Communication Grants must be exclusively used for marketing and communications costs related to circular activities. For the purposes of this programme, circular activities include initiatives that:

• reduce overall consumption and packaging

• rethink product use and design

• reuse products via swapping or resale

• repair items for further use

• refurbish older models

• repurpose products into new uses

Projects centred on downcycling or waste processing (such as recycling) are not eligible.

The Rediscovery Centre reserves the right to determine whether an activity is circular. The decision of The Rediscovery Centre regarding project and costs eligibility shall be final.

Organisation Eligibility Criteria 

The Circular.ie Communication Grants are open to a wide range of organisations with up to and including 10 full time paid employees.

 These include:  

• Non‑profit organisations

• Community groups

• Social enterprises

• Small businesses with a community focus

  • Please note: Small businesses must have a maximum annual turnover of €2 million to be eligible for this grant. Evidence of annual turnover will be required from successful applicants.

Please note organisations availing of the Circular Communications Connections Grant must be a formally established entity in the Republic of Ireland. To verify eligibility, successful applicants will be required to provide the following documentation (as applicable) demonstrating the organisation’s governance structure and decision making process:

• Confirmation of Charity Registration or PPN membership

• Tax/VAT registration number.

• A Constitution or Terms of Reference.

• Official minutes from recent Annual General Meetings (AGM) or management meetings.

 If you have any questions related to eligibility please contact info@circular.ie.

Grant Types

There are three categories of grants available: 

• Circular.ie Physical Communications

• Circular.ie Digital Communications

• Circular.ie National Communications

Please note: Successful applicants will not be paid the full grant amount directly. In line with public procurement policy, the Rediscovery Centre will appoint and pay suppliers directly for specified goods and services to be delivered to grant recipients. Further information on payment arrangements is provided in the Grant Payment section below and differs according to the grant type.

Circular.ie Physical Communications 

Grants of up to the value of €1,000 under the Physical category are available for communications and marketing to raise the visibility of circular projects in their local area. 

Eligible costs include:

• Signage and banners

• Leaflets

• Graphic design for physical assets

Circular.ie Digital Communications

Grants of up to the value of €5,000 under the Digital category are available for communications and marketing to raise the visibility of circular projects online. This grant helps organisations build and refresh skills in social content and advertising through practical support and optional group training. 

Eligible costs include 

• Social media and video content production

• Targeted digital advertising

• Basic website updates

• Professional graphic design, photography and videography

• Related software subscriptions

Circular.ie National Communications

Grants of up to the value of €10,000 under the National category are available for communications and marketing to scale circular projects across Ireland. This grant is targeted at mature organisations that are ready to take their local initiative to a national scale, or share their skills to foster similar initiatives across the country. Successful applicants will receive 

• 1:1 strategic advisory support to form a communications strategy

• Development and design services to build a brand and online platform

• Web hosting and licensing costs for the first year

• Associated social media and video content production and advertising

Eligible Costs 

Only costs that meet the following criteria will be considered: 

• Costs approved in the spending plan

• Costs incurred after spending plan approval

• Goods and services delivered by suppliers appointed by The Rediscovery Centre or additional suppliers approved in the spending plan

See below for further details on Grant Payment arrangements.

Ineligible Costs

• Staff salaries, wages or in-house consultancy

• Rent, utilities, or general overhead costs

• Capital works or building refurbishment

• Fundraising costs or commercial revenue activities

• Political or religious campaigning and any other promotions unrelated to circular economic activity 

• Food, catering, or hospitality

• Personal benefit (e.g. purchasing personal devices)

• Unreceipted, undocumented, or untraceable cash payments

Application Process

Applications for all Circular.ie Communication Grants must be made using the application form on the Circular.ie website.

The deadline for applications is midnight on November 9, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.

The grant application should be completed in full, with all information requested supplied. Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Only one application per organisation is permitted per annual grant cycle, and each organisation must select a single grant type. If you believe your initiative qualifies for more than one type, apply under the highest eligible type.

Assessment Criteria

Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding. Awards are subject to available budget, assessment outcomes, and programme priorities.

Applications will be assessed using the following criteria: 

• Community Impact – Demonstrable social, environmental, cultural, or civic benefits, with measurable or tangible outcomes. Plans to measure impact, report results, and share learning.

• Vision & Innovation - A clear explanation of the problem being solved, the proposed solution, and the solution innovation/creativity.

• Feasibility & Value – Realistic budget, achievable activities within the funding/timeframe/organisation staffing, and justified costs.

The assessment panel may also consider geographical spread, needs assessment, diversity of activity types, and funding availability when making final decisions. Applicants are required to disclose any other funding of €1,000 or more received in the last 12 months to provide full context for their needs assessment.

Previous recipients of Circular.ie grants or Full Circle Awards are eligible to apply. Circular.ie grant recipients must have met all previous reporting requirements and grant conditions, and the new application must relate to a different project phase, activity, or expenditure. The Rediscovery Centre reserves the right to consider previous grant performance when assessing applications.

Following the assessment process, all applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application via email.

Assessment decisions are final. Due to the competitive nature of the programme, The Rediscovery Centre cannot enter into correspondence regarding the comparative ranking of applications. Feedback may be provided at The Rediscovery Centre's discretion.

Successful Applicants

Successful applicants will receive a notification by December 7, 2026 outlining that they have been approved for funding, specifying the amount, and seeking signature of the Grant Agreement with supporting evidence as applicable. If no response is received to the notification of approval, a final reminder notification will be issued. If no response is received within seven calendar days of the first notification, then an email will be issued stating that the grant has been forfeited.

Grant Timeline & Key Deadlines

Implementation Period (January 1 – June 30, 2027)

All grant funds must be spent and in use by June 30, 2027. Specific delivery dates vary by grant type:

• Physical and Digital Communications:

  • January 2027: Further spending and reporting guidance provided by The Rediscovery Centre. Optional training commences for Digital Communications. 

  • February 2027: Spending plans approved.

  • March 2027: Approved goods and services delivered.

  • April-June 2027: Communications and marketing activities performed and measured.

• National Communications:

  • January 2027: 1:1 strategic advisory support commences.

  • February 2027: Spending plans approved.

  • March-June 2027: Design and development. All services and website setup must be finalised by June 30, 2027.

The Rediscovery Centre will make reasonable efforts to ensure delivery of services through appointed suppliers. However, The Rediscovery Centre shall not be liable for delays or disruptions outside its reasonable control. Where necessary, alternative arrangements may be proposed. For any goods and services ordered directly by grant recipients, they bear responsibility for ensuring they are delivered within the spending window.

Reporting Period (June 1 - July 31, 2027)

• June 2027: Report template distributed by The Rediscovery Centre

• July 2027: Final report completion and submission. Reports must include all receipts, impact data, and photographic evidence of purchased items or services rendered.

Grant Payment 

Please note: Successful applicants will not be paid the full grant amount directly. In line with public procurement policy, the Rediscovery Centre will appoint and pay suppliers directly for specified goods and services to be delivered to grant recipients. Circular.ie Physical 

Communications (up to €1,000)

Awardees will be contacted by the Rediscovery Centre to develop and agree a spending plan in consultation with an appointed print supplier. Following approval of the proposed quotations, the Rediscovery Centre will make payment directly to the supplier for eligible goods and services, in accordance with the approved budget and grant criteria.

Any expenditure not utilised within the agreed budget will not be payable under the grant and any unspent funds will remain with, or be returned to, the Rediscovery Centre, as appropriate.

Please note: The total value of all supports provided, including goods and services procured directly by the Rediscovery Centre, forms part of the overall grant value of €1,000.

Circular.ie Digital Communications (up to €5,000)

The maximum grant value is €5,000, comprising both direct financial support and the value of goods and services procured on behalf of the grant recipient. In line with public procurement requirements, the Rediscovery Centre will appoint and pay suppliers directly for specified goods and services, which will then be delivered to successful awardees.

The majority of this grant will be administered through an appointed supplier, procured by the Rediscovery Centre in accordance with public procurement requirements. These supports may include services such as graphic design, photography, videography, social media content development, website updates, and training. The Rediscovery Centre will pay suppliers directly for these goods and services on behalf of successful applicants.

Any remaining grant funding available to support eligible project costs, such as online advertising or software subscriptions, will be paid in accordance with an approved spending plan. This spending plan must be submitted to and approved by the Rediscovery Centre before any expenditure is incurred. Costs incurred prior to approval may not be eligible for funding.

Please note: The total value of all supports provided, including goods and services procured directly by the Rediscovery Centre, forms part of the overall grant value of €5,000.

Circular.ie National Communications (up to €10,000)

The maximum grant value is €10,000, comprising both direct financial support and the value of goods and services procured on behalf of the grant recipient. In line with public procurement requirements, the Rediscovery Centre will appoint and pay suppliers directly for specified goods and services, which will then be delivered to successful awardees.

As part of the grant, successful awardees will receive a package of supports, including one-to-one strategic advisory services, brand development and design, the development of an online platform, first-year hosting, and associated social media content. These services will be delivered by an appointed supplier and funded directly by the Rediscovery Centre.

The remaining grant allocation may be used for eligible costs, including national advertising and software subscriptions. This funding will be released in accordance with a payment schedule agreed as part of the awardee's spending plan. The spending plan must be submitted to and approved by the Rediscovery Centre prior to the commencement of any expenditure. Any costs incurred before approval may be deemed ineligible for funding.

Please note: The total value of all supports provided, including goods and services procured directly by the Rediscovery Centre, forms part of the overall grant value of €10,000.

General Conditions

• All grant recipients must return a signed Grant Agreement before payments are processed.

• Eligible costs are as specified per grant type, expenditure outside these criteria will not be reimbursed.

• All costs must be within the grant amount and criteria. Unused funds are refundable to The Rediscovery Centre.

• The grant must only be used for the specific communications or marketing activities outlined in your spending plan and approved by The Rediscovery Centre. Please refer to the full list of eligible and ineligible costs above.

• Any changes to your plan or how you intend to spend the funding must be approved by The Rediscovery Centre in advance. 

Publicity and Acknowledgment

Awardees agree that The Rediscovery Centre may use their name, logo, project description, and selected campaign materials for promotional, informational, or evaluation purposes. This may include featuring your project on the Circular.ie website, newsletters, reports, or social media.

Awardees authorise us to share these materials with our third party PR agency for wider distribution and promotion of their initiative.

Awardees may be requested to provide photographs or short video clips that demonstrate the impact of the funding, such as improved communication, new engagement activities, or community responses.

Awardees sharing their project on social media, should tag @circular.ie and use the assigned campaign hashtags.

Awardees agree to be listed on the Circular Economy Map on the Circular.ie website and may be contacted for updates or further collaboration in the future.

Non-Compliance and Recovery of Funding

The Rediscovery Centre reserves the right to pause, revoke, or request the return of grant funds if they are used for purposes outside the agreed scope, if reporting is not submitted, if false or misleading information is provided, or if any other term is not met.

Failure to comply with these Terms, including those in your Grant Agreement, may result in suspension or repayment of the grant.

Prior to recovery, you will be given the opportunity to address any identified issues, except in cases of serious misconduct.

Applicants must provide accurate and truthful information at all stages of the application and reporting process. The Rediscovery Centre reserves the right to investigate suspected fraud, misrepresentation, or misuse of funds and may refer matters to the appropriate authorities where necessary.

The Rediscovery Centre reserves the right to withdraw an award where continued participation would, in its reasonable opinion, bring Circular.ie, the Rediscovery Centre, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, or the Government of Ireland into disrepute.

Neither The Rediscovery Centre nor the recipient shall be considered in breach of these Terms where performance is prevented by circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, industrial disputes, government restrictions, or failures of third-party service providers.

Tax and Legal Responsibilities

Awardees are responsible for understanding and fulfilling any tax, accounting, or regulatory obligations linked to receiving the grant. The Rediscovery Centre does not offer legal or tax advice and is not liable for how the grant is handled in this respect.

Grants are not transferable to other organisations or individuals, and must be used solely for the approved project.

Where applicable, recipients must comply with all relevant Irish law.

Applicants operating as commercial enterprises may be required to declare previous public funding received. Funding may be subject to State Aid or De Minimis Aid requirements and applicants must provide any information reasonably requested for compliance purposes.

Data Protection and Privacy

All personal information collected through the grant process will be handled in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Your data will be used only for managing the grant process and may be shared with partner organisations involved in evaluating or administering the scheme. You have the right to access, correct, or request removal of your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Freedom of Information

Applications and funding may be subject to Ireland’s Freedom of Information legislation. Where requested, we may release project reports or organisation-level information, subject to legal exemptions for personal data or commercially sensitive material.

Changes to the Terms

The Rediscovery Centre reserves the right to revise these terms if required by law or policy. We will notify you of any significant changes that affect current grant agreements.

If you have questions or need help with any aspect of the grant or reporting process, get in touch with us at info@circular.ie.