Projects will be linked to the fund by the newly established Greater Manchester Environment Fund (GMEF) which has been created to deliver Greater Manchester’s ambition for a “clean, carbon-neutral, climate resilient city region with a thriving natural environment”, by aligning public and philanthropic funding, attracting private investment, prioritising limited resources and facilitating collaborative bids. The GMEF is helping to facilitate the workshops, and encourages any groups or organisations with a recycling project in the pipeline, or a great idea for one, to book a place to find out more about the application process and how to make their project stand out. GMEF Grants Manager, Jenny Griggs, said: “We understand that many people find the application process a little daunting for any funding so we are offering online workshops which will ensure they are doing things the best possible way. We believe that there are many people out there with exciting ideas on how they can reuse, repair and recycle, which can benefit the environment and help to make their own communities cleaner and greener.”

There are two dates available for the workshops, Thursday May 6^th at 6pm and Saturday May 8^th at 10am. To secure a place register via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/greater-manchester-environment-fund-33195929211 or email gmenvfund@lancswt.org.uk. For more information on the fund and to download an application form go to https://gmenvfund.org/how-applyour-funders/recycle-greater-manchester-community-fund. Applications are now open and will close on Monday 31^st May.

Applications are welcomed from community and voluntary sector organisations such as registered charities, not-for-profit organisations, community, neighbourhood or voluntary groups, faith groups delivering community work, schools, colleges or universities, and projects of all sizes can apply. Projects will need to focus on one or more of the priority waste streams - food waste, paper and card, glass, textiles, furniture or waste electrical and electronic equipment. Applying organisations must also be based in one or more of the following Greater Manchester council areas; Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford.

The R4GM Community Fund is just one fund currently available through the GMEF and more funds will be available to apply for as the scheme grows, allowing a whole range of environmental and nature projects to benefit. The GMEF is managed by the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. Director of Nature and Wellbeing, Daveen Wallis said: “The fund will reflect its bee brand, pollinating projects with financial support so they can blossom and be part of the recovery of nature in Greater Manchester.” The GMEF website will celebrate projects that have been funded and help interested projects to apply for funding. It will also introduce organisations and businesses, who may want to fund green initiatives, to green projects in Greater Manchester. The website can be found at www.gmenvfund.org.