Circular Economy Initiatives Fund

Funding is open to registered charitable organizations and non-profit organizations, i.e., community/environmental organizations, resident/tenant/neighbourhood associations, business improvement area boards of management/chambers of commerce, local Environmental Advisory Committees, academic institutions and school boards. Applicants do not have to be based in York Region, but the project must benefit York Region communities and reduce waste generated locally.

Previous applicants and recipients are allowed to submit a new application for funding each round.  

The following organizations are not eligible for funding or collaboration:

• For-profit organizations
• Organizations acting in the capacity of a funding body, fundraising drives or events
• Organizations that have political affiliations
• Building managers and individual property owners
• Individual residents
• Grant making organizations
• Government or government-based organizations

Collaboration between organizations is encouraged. The lead partner must meet the eligibility criteria stated above.

Priority will be given to projects that meet all or most of the following:

• Are community-driven and foster community partnerships
• Clearly articulate how impacts of activities proposed will be measured
• Demonstrate innovation (unique, new) in terms of project design, delivery, solution proposed
• Does not duplicate a program already delivered in the specific community by another organization, municipality or York Region
• Leverage funding from other sources, and outline project sustainability
• Include a communication plan to engage the community
• Emphasize access, equity, diversity and engage all ages, abilities, economic levels and cultures
• Can be completed within the project timelines, show a clear work plan, with activities, tasks and outcomes 

Preliminary applications will open January 2027.

The application process includes two stages: the preliminary application and the detailed application.

Applicants who are selected to complete the detailed application form will be contacted in February 2027. All applicants who submit a detailed application form will receive a response in April 2027.

For more information, please contact @email or call 1-877-464-9675. 

• Preliminary application opens - January 6, 2027
• Virtual information meeting - January 2027 (date to be confirmed)
• Preliminary application deadline - January 27, 2027 11:59 p.m.
• Invitation to submit detailed application issued - February 2027
• Notification to successful applicants - April 2027
• Project delivery timeframe – June 2027 to May 2029

Dates subject to change. 

The following streams are based on program objectives and provide examples of eligible projects as a guide for applicants:

Local Reuse/Repair: This stream focuses on collaborative initiatives that encourage residents to repair, share, exchange, repurpose or reuse materials and products, extending their lifespan, supporting local reuse pathways and diverting them from landfill.

Examples include:

• Community sharing or swap events/platforms
• Repair/upcycling skills training workshops
• A repair/sewing hub

Food Waste Reduction: This stream focuses on collaborative initiatives that prevent or reduce household food waste.

Examples include:

• Workshops building food literacy skills such as meal planning, storing and using leftovers, cooking skills, canning and preserving
• Upcycling surplus food to support community food programs, education or events 
• Community composting hub

Since 2021, the Circular Economy Initiatives Fund has invested more than $500,000 in 28 community projects, engaging thousands of York Region residents in hands-on circular economy activities. Of these projects: 

• 25% focused on youth engagement 
• 28% delivered social-impact outcomes
• 46% helped participants build practical skills such as repair, upcycling, meal planning, and composting

2025 Fund recipient projects:
 

• Bo Kang Foundation - A Three-City Community Education and Action Campaign
  Residents engaged in workshops, a 30-day Circular Living Challenge and a community showcase to promote lasting circular living habits. The project aimed to reach at least 900 residents directly and more than 10,000 people online while encouraging waste reduction and sustainable everyday practices.
• Inno-hive – Circular Connect
  York Region residents were equipped with knowledge, tools and experiences to reduce waste and adopt circular economy practices through immersive workshops. The project fostered grassroots waste reduction and strengthened environmental stewardship across the region by promoting hands-on learning, community challenges and digital resources.
• Newmakeit – Fixer in Residence Program
  York Region residents were empowered to repair, maintain and extend the life of household items through one-on-one repair support and hands-on workshops. By building confidence and practical repair skills, it encouraged participants to choose repair over replacement and adopt lasting circular economy habits.
• Rise Support Centre – Bright Beginnings
  The Centre’s capacity to collect, process, and redistribute gently-used maternity and baby items was expanded, keeping valuable materials in circulation and out of landfills. The project increased reuse and diversion of baby textiles and equipment, with a goal of diverting 40% more materials from landfill.
• Stuart Scott Public School (York Region District School Board) – Fixing Fashion
  Students learned about the impacts of fast fashion and textile waste while developing sewing and upcycling skills. They created new products from reclaimed fabrics and community clothing, costume and sportswear swaps, and hosted a fashion show featuring second-hand and upcycled designs.

2024 Fund recipient projects:

• Compost Council of Canada – Healing Our Soils and Climate with Compost: A Neighbourhood Champions Program
  Local champions promoted composting and green bin use while educating their communities on the benefits of compost for soil health, food quality and climate resilience. Through a grassroots approach, families, friends and organizations were inspired to support green bin programs and use compost in home gardens.
• Threading Change Foundation – Fair Fashion Festival: York Region Edition
  This event-based initiative aimed to reduce textile waste and promote long-term sustainable fashion habits. Residents and industry professionals were engaged in activities like clothing swaps, mending workshops, policy discussions and extended producer responsibility (EPR) advocacy.
• Women’s Centre of York Region – Healing through Greening
  This project taught women how to repurpose and repair items to reduce waste through hands-on workshops. Women affected by violence and abuse were offered practical skills in areas like sewing, helping them discover cost-saving and income-generating opportunities tied to sustainability. The program fostered healing, resilience and economic independence through community-based learning.