The City of Calgary accepts grant funding applications for a minimum of $5,000 up to a maximum of $25,000. Funds are allocated to projects with one-year terms. Projects must be delivered within the one-year timeframe.

This pilot program started in 2023 and will run through 2026. Total funding for each year is $150,000. There is no matching funding requirement. However, applicants are encouraged to have their own contingency funds.

Circular Economy Grant recipients may apply for funding in subsequent years with a different proposal. Their previous project must be completed before applications re-open. Please note, priority will be given to organizations that have yet to receive funding. 

To be eligible for funding, applicants must be a not-for-profit organization or Society registered in Alberta, or extra-provincially registered in Alberta (e.g., if a Federal not-for profit) or a Business Improvement Area (BIA) established through a City of Calgary bylaw, and have the intent of providing the proposed project in Calgary and to Calgary residents.

Eligible non-profit organizations could include:

• Community Associations
• Community Organizations
• Registered Charitable Organizations
• Environmental Organizations
• Social Recreation Organizations (e.g., senior clubs)
• Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)
• Festival and Events' Organizers

For full details on eligibility requirements, please download the CEG Guidelines document.

The Circular Economy Grant will provide funding for projects to support community-based actions that have the potential to contribute to the circular economy in Calgary.

Objectives

Proposed projects should meet all the following Circular Economy Grant objectives:

• Promote understanding and knowledge of circular economy through innovative projects and programs.
• Reduce waste generation and encourage reuse.
• Help individuals, organizations, and/or communities that might otherwise be hard to reach and have limited access to programs.

Focus Areas

The proposed project must fall into one of the following Focus Areas:

• Share, Trade, and Donate
• Maintain and Prolong
• Reuse and Redistribute
• Refurbish and Upcycle
• Food and Organic Waste Reduction

Note: recycling and composting are important components of the circular economy, dealing with items that are no longer usable and beyond being recovered by other means. However, Circular Economy Grant prioritizes actions in the upper levels of the waste hierarchy: rethink/redesign, reduce and reuse. Therefore, recycling and composting are not considered focus areas of the grant program. Projects focused mainly on recycling and/or composting will not be eligible for the Circular Economy Grant.

For full details on eligibility requirements, please download the CEG Guidelines document.

Not sure the focus area of your project? Contact our team, we can assist you.

1. Review the eligibility criteria

• Make sure your organization is eligible to apply.
• Check if your project details meet the program requirements.

2. Come up with a great idea!

We strongly recommend you reach out to our team before applying. We would love to discuss your project ideas with you.

3. Join an information session

We encourage you to attend one of our information sessions.

4. Check out the application and grant resources

• CEG Guidelines (updated November 1, 2024)
• CEG Application Form (for preview only)
• CEG Project Timeline and Activities Template (Excel document)
• CEG Budget Template (Excel document)

5. Submit the application

Applications are currently closed. Please check back later for the grant reopening date.

6. What happens after you apply?

The CEG evaluation committee will review all eligible applications. Reviews are based on the information outlined in the CEG Guidelines.

All applicants will be notified of final decisions. Successful applicants will receive a funding approval letter. They will also be required to sign a funding agreement. Applicants who aren't chosen will have the option to receive feedback.

• Applications open: February 3, 2025, 12:01 a.m.
• Applications deadline: March 14, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
• Final decisions on applications: April 11, 2025 (latest date to notify applicants)
• CEG projects begin: September 30, 2025 (latest start date)
• CEG projects finish: September 30, 2026 (last day for completion)

Please note that dates may change. Check the website for any changes or updates.

Each grant recipient will be required to submit a midterm and final report. This is outlined in the funding agreement with The City of Calgary.

Review the reporting templates:
CEG Reporting Template – Midterm (Word document)
CEG Reporting Template – Final (Word document)

• Alexandra Community Health Centre – Market to Market Circular Economy Initiative ($24,951.5)

This project embedded “circular economy learning” into the Alex’s new produce market operation and food-related programs. This included setting up a refillery station in the market, piloting a “Scrappy Kitchen” program and building a composting demo centre.

• Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Southern Alberta Chapter – Rewear and Repair, Outdoor Gear in a Circular Economy ($25,000)

This project diverted outdoor recreation material waste. They led in-person school presentations, online workshops and the ChangeMaker online hub. Outdoor gear repair events and an outdoor gear library were also arranged.

• Diversecities Community Service Association – Newcomers DIY Workshops ($23,140)

This project hosted hands-on workshops for newcomers on basic home maintenance and repair. It taught when to call service technicians and how to properly recycle household items. Workshops were available in multiple languages. They were open for participants as young as 16 years old.

• Elements Society – EcoCooks Community Food Waste Workshops ($25,000)

Elements offered 10 workshops, both in-person and online, to educate the public. Topics such as what is food waste and why it is such a problem were covered. The public was taught how to add simple actions to their routines to reduce or even avoid food waste.

• North East Family Connections Society – Food Recovery & Distribution ($5,000)
  

This project aimed to reduce food waste. They took leftover food from community events, portioned it into meals and froze it. Meals were then provided to community members in need.

• Silvera for Seniors – Free Little Fibre Libraries and Community Knitting Hub ($14,500)

This project is a partnership between Silvera for Seniors and Free Little Fibre Libraries. The project reused and upcycled fibre and yarn. They built Free Fibre Libraries in communities, set up knitting thrift stores, and organized knitting clubs.

• Temple Community Association – The Dump, Replace or Repair Project ($8,621)

Temple Community Association acquired tools and supplies to repair and maintain tables and chairs at community buildings. Worn out furniture was also refurbished.

• Calgary Flames Sports Bank  – Getting Kids in Gear ($25,000)

This project aims to collect 20,000 pieces of new and gently used sports equipment through donation drives and collection locations. The equipment will be redistributed to over 4,000 children in families facing difficult circumstances. This ensures the gear will continue to be used.

• Fresh Routes, Inc. – Fresh Routes Mobile Grocery Store – A Well-Choreographed Dance of Sustainability, Preserving the Quality of the Produce ($25,000)

This project will upcycle “imperfect” produce that a local grocery store couldn’t sell. By partnering with a caterer, pre-made meals will be prepared and sold at affordable prices. The meals will be sold at Fresh Routes’ mobile market locations. This project aims to divert up to 10,000 lbs of produce from landfills. Nearly 4,000 individuals will be supported by the meals.

• Goodwill Industries of Alberta – Mend for Good – Upcycling Denim into Reusable Bags ($21,175)

This project will repurpose unsold denim from Goodwill retail locations into reusable bags. This will divert waste from landfills and create jobs for people with disabilities. This project is estimated to divert 1,500 pounds of textiles per year.

• Two Wheel View – Continuing Cycles ($9,029)

Continuing Cycles project will fix and refurbish bikes to keep them out of landfills and donate them to organizations supporting Calgarians in need. The goal is to refurbish 50-60% of the 500 bicycles Two Wheel View plans to distribute during the project year.

• The Arusha Centre – Circular Economy Waste Reduction Strategy and Implementation for the Calgary Housing Company and Norfolk Housing Society ($21,379.75)

This project collaborates with partner organizations to develop policies, procedures, and events within the affordable housing complex. They are focused on reducing waste and promoting a circular economy mindset. The project will enable residents to lead activities like bartering, sales, repairs, and more.

• Youth Singers of Calgary – YSC Sustainable Style Showcase ($25,000)

YSC Sustainable Style Showcase project will repurpose and redesign used clothing. This includes old costumes, vintage clothing, and props from 35 years of stage performances. These items will be sold or auctioned, ensuring they stay in continuous use.