Circular Communication Grants - Guidance Notice
Funding Available
There are two categories of grants available; Circular Communications Core and Circular Communications Connections.
Circular Communications Core
Grants of €1,000 under the Core category are available for development and execution of communications and marketing activities for Circular projects.
Examples of eligible work for the Core grant could include costs associated with creating a Facebook, Instagram, TikTok campaign to promote an event, producing social media graphics, hiring a local photographer/graphic designer, printing etc.,
Circular Communications Connections
Grants of €5,000 under the Connections category are available for development and execution of communications and marketing projects for Circular activities. In addition to the financial grant of €5,000, successful awardees will receive strategic advisory support in marketing and communications. Initial advice will be provided prior to delivery of the communications activities and aims to support awardees to reach wider audiences.
Examples of eligible work for the Connections grant would include costs associated with developing a website, running targeted digital campaigns, buying graphic design applications and/or training on how to use them, sourcing a professional videographer to produce content, branding a community group/event etc.,
Eligibility Criteria
The Circular Communication Grants are open to a wide range of organisations and projects and detailed on the website. These include:
- Non‑profit organisations
- Community groups
- Social enterprises
- Small businesses* with a community focus
- Circular economy initiatives
Please note groups availing of the Circular Communications Connections Grant must be a formally established entity in the Republic of Ireland. Additional information will be required. If you have any questions related to eligibility please contact grants@circular.ie
Project Eligibility
Both Circular Communication Grants must be exclusively used for marketing and communications costs related to circular economy promotion, or activities.
Marketing and Communications could include but will not be limited to;
- Content production, digital marketing, website or brand development
- Event promotion, signage, accessibility services (e.g. ISL interpretation, captions)
- Training, software, capacity-building activities
- Digital promotions, photography
Application Process
- Applications for both Circular Communication Grants must be made on the official online application form on Circular.ie
- The deadline for applications is November 7th. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered
- The online 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 funding cycle
Assessment Criteria
Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:
- Community Impact – Demonstrable social, environmental, cultural, or civic benefits, with measurable or tangible outcomes.
- Feasibility & Value – Realistic budget, achievable activities within the funding/timeframe, and justified costs.
- Learning & Evaluation – Plans to measure impact, report results, and share learning.
The assessment panel may also consider geographical spread, needs assessment, diversity of applicant types, and funding availability when making final decisions. Following the assessment process all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application via direct email.
Successful Applicants
Successful applicants will receive a notification outlining that they have been approved for funding, specifying the amount and seeking written confirmation of adherence to the Grant Agreement Terms and Conditions. If no response is received to the notification of approval, a final reminder notification will be issued. If no response is received ten days after the final reminder notification, then a correspondence will be issued stating that the grant has been forfeited.
Awardees of the Circular Communications Core grant should expect payment approximately three weeks after submitting the signed grant Agreement and any other requested organisational information.
Awardees of the Circular Communication Connections grant, will be contacted by circular.ie to arrange a meeting with the assigned project mentor. The details of the grant support will be co-developed based on organisational needs and mentor advice. The details will form part of the Grant Agreement which will be agreed within 2 weeks of the mentor meeting, signed and returned. Awardees should expect payment of 80% of the grant approximately three weeks after submitting the signed grant agreement and any other requested organisational information.
The remainder of the grant will be paid once the communication activity has been completed and all associated costs have been paid in full.
Eligible Costs
Only costs that meet the following criteria will be considered:
- Costs incurred after confirmation of funding approval.
- Costs approved in the funding agreement
- Costs for which receipts and documentation have been supported
Eligible Cost
Content creation (e.g. video, photography, graphic design)
Digital marketing and social media ads (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)
Website development or improvement
Copywriting, messaging development, branding strategy
Event promotion materials (flyers, signage, newspaper ads)
Communications training or workshops (e.g. social media, media training, storytelling)
Software subscriptions (e.g. Canva, Mailchimp)
Accessibility services (e.g. captioning, Irish Sign Language interpretation)
Promotional signage (temporary or permanent)
Professional communications services (e.g. designers, consultants, trainers)
Ineligible Costs
Staff salaries or wages
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 (unless pre-approved for public events)
Costs incurred before the grant approval date
Personal benefit (e.g. purchasing personal devices)
Unreceipted, undocumented, or untraceable cash payments
Compliance and Reporting - Terms and Conditions
The Circular Communication Grants are provided by the Circular.ie project, administered by the The Rediscovery Centre, which is funded by the Government of Ireland, under the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. The following Terms and Conditions apply to all recipients of the Circular Communication Grant. By accepting the submitting an application you agree to the following:
Publicity and Acknowledgment
- Awardees agree that Circular.ie 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.
- All public communications (such as social media posts, press releases, signage, or other materials) related to your grant-funded project must acknowledge support from Circular.ie. This helps to raise awareness of circular activities across communities.
- 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.
- If you are sharing your project on social media, please tag @circular.ie and use the assigned campaign hashtags.
- Awardees agree to be listed on the Circular Economy Map on Circular.ie and may be contacted for updates or further collaboration in the future.
Reporting and Accountability
A short final report (template will be provided) must be submitted within One Month of completing your project. Details will be provided upon receipt of the grant.
Appropriate Use of Funds
- The grant must only be used for the specific communications or marketing activities outlined in your application and approved by The Rediscovery Centre.
- Any changes to your plan or how you intend to spend the funding must be approved by us in advance.
- Please refer to the full list of eligible and ineligible costs in the guidelines.
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.
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.
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 grants@circular.ie
* Fewer than 10 employees, less than €2 million