Organisations have the opportunity of securing up to £1,000 to enhance their green credentials through a scheme run by Stafford Borough Council’s waste and recycling contractor.

Veolia launched their Sustainability Fund in partnership with the council on World Environment Day, Friday 5 June.

The Sustainability Fund provides grants of up to £1,000 to connect people across Stafford with their local environment and community.

Veolia’s Sustainability Fund is open to not-for-profit organisations, community groups, or individuals in areas where the company delivers recycling and waste treatment services for the community. The funding is available per project and applicants can opt to request in-kind resources or volunteers to help bring their project to life.

The Sustainability Fund welcomes applications from a wide range of environmental and social projects. Projects should meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Enhances biodiversity
• Promotes sustainable waste behaviours
• Protects the environment by using recycled, reused or reclaimed materials.
• Strengthens and connects local communities, including but not limited to employment support programmes, rehabilitation projects and youth development initiatives

All projects will be assessed on merit, with particular recognition given to those that demonstrate long-term or ongoing community benefits.

Councillor Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment at Stafford Borough Council: said “This is a great opportunity for those groups and organisations who are already doing their part to improve our environment to be able to secure funds to help take their work to the next level.  

“And it is great to see our partners’ (Veolia) ongoing support for the green agenda as this is one of the borough council’s top priorities. I hope there will be lots of local applications and look forward to hearing about the ways in which this money will be used for the benefit of our communities.”

Applications can be made via Veolia’s website at www.veolia.co.uk/sustainability-fund . The fund will be open for applications until Wednesday 30 September.

Pascal Hauret, Managing Director, Municipal at Veolia, said: "The Sustainability Fund has been connecting people to their local environment and to the communities around them since 2021. Over the past six years, we've been proud to support over 640 incredible projects with more than £514,000 in funding across the areas where we deliver essential recycling and waste services on behalf of our Local Authority partners.

"We have seen first-hand the real connections built and the lasting impact the Fund makes to both people and the planet. I’m thrilled that the Fund is now open for applications and I look forward to discovering even more inspiring projects and seeing the positive change they'll bring to local communities across the UK." 

Press Release No 6301