—Skills and Innovation Fund
Tackling Textiles Grant: Skills and Innovation (Year Three)
We are excited to announce the launch of the third year of the Tackling Textiles Skills and Innovation Grant. This initiative, funded by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA) Waste Prevention Policy Branch through the Carrier Bag Levy, is designed to support local businesses and organisations in Northern Ireland in reducing textile waste through engaging in sustainable skills development and practices such as reuse and repair.
About the Grant
The Tackling Textiles Skills and Innovation Grant offers funding of between £1,000 and £3,000 to support innovative projects that focus on textile repair, reuse, and waste prevention. By promoting green skills and supporting local businesses in adopting sustainable practices, the grant aims to extend the life of textile products, minimise waste and embed reuse and repair across the fashion and wider textiles industry.
Who Can Apply?
We would welcome applications from the following types of organisations:
- Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (under 250 employees)
- Social Enterprises
- Charities
- Not-for-Profit Organisations
- Community & Voluntary groups
Please note: The grant is not currently open to applications from councils, schools and higher education institutions, sports clubs, churches, youth groups, unconstituted groups, or large enterprises with more than 250 employees.
Eligible Project Types
Waste Prevention: Financial help to develop innovative design strategies that minimise waste right from the outset.
Reimagine: Develop forward-thinking initiatives that address the entire lifecycle of products—from production to post-consumer disposal. Whether it's through take-back schemes, upcycling initiatives, or other innovative solutions, these efforts can help organisations lead the way in creating a more sustainable textile industry.
We also encourage collaborative initiatives that bring together retailers, communities, and other organisations to innovate and drive forward sustainable solutions.
Value of grants available
Between £1000 and £3000
How to apply ?
To apply for the grant, you must complete an online form through our Submittable platform, a user-friendly, cloud-based system that simplifies the application process. We strongly recommend downloading and reading our Guidance Notes, which include detailed information on the grant criteria and application process.
Getting started with Submittable is simple. Just click on the link below and follow the link to the Tackling Textiles Grant: Skills and Innovation tab.
To apply for this grant, applicants are asked to complete an online form. You are strongly advised to download and read our Guidance Notes, which include the grant criteria.
Key dates
- Grant will open for applications on 6pm Friday 23rd August.
- Completed application form must be received by 6pm Friday 20th September.
- We aim to notify successful applicants within 2 weeks of grants closing. This will depend on the volume of applications received.
If you have any queries in the meantime, please send them to: waste@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org
* The statistics shared are UK-wide, 2017 statistics published by Parliament. Read the report.