Tendring District Council's (TDC) waste contractor Veolia has launched its Sustainability Fund in Tendring.

The fund was launched, in partnership with TDC, for the first time in the district on the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May to help support people across Tendring to improve biodiversity in their local environments and communities with grants of up to £1,000.

Since its launch in 2021, the Sustainability Fund has supported 267 projects with over £215,000 of funding in 20 local authorities partners.

2023 was an incredibly successful year for the Sustainability Fund, with 124 grassroots projects given over £94,000 funding.

This year, Veolia will, for the first time, fund great local initiatives in Tendring that protect and reserve resources but is particularly interested in projects that make a positive, long term difference to biodiversity.

Sustainability Fund applications will open on 22 May and can be made via Veolia’s website at veolia.co.uk/Sustainability-Fund or via Spacehive, Veolia’s crowdfunding partner, at spacehive.com/movement/veoliauk.

The fund will be open for applications until Monday, 30 September.

In previous years, successful projects have delivered long-term social and environmental benefits to local communities in Essex, including:

● Little Heroes ASD Support Community Hub is a parent-led support group for families of children who are on the autistic spectrum. The charity has moved to a new venue with an unloved space to the front and rear, where they will upcycle wooden crates and unused wood from the local area to create an interactive outside area for people to relax in.

● Greening Southend is an offshoot of Trust Links Growing Together therapeutic gardening project, where they go out to neglected public realm green spaces and empower the local community to take ownership and improve the space, increasing residents' sense of well-being and sense of connection with their local environment.

● SAVS Folk Like Us is run by the Southend Association of Voluntary Services who offer support and advice to people over the age of 55 who are experiencing loneliness and isolation. Funding will support the development of their 'Muddy Hub' allotment plot for their community to come together and grow their own food.

Veolia’s Sustainability Fund is open to not-for-profit organisations, community groups, or individuals in areas where the company delivers waste and street cleansing services for the community.

Up to £1,000 in funding is available per project and applicants can opt to request in-kind resources or volunteers to help them deliver ecological transformation.

All applications will be considered, but projects should aim to fulfil at least one of the following criteria: enhancing biodiversity; promoting sustainable behaviours (reduce, reuse, recycle); protecting or preserving resources and the environment by using recycled, reused, or reclaimed materials.

Michael Riches, Contract Manager at Veolia, said: “At Veolia we are always looking at ways to give back to the communities we serve and we are delighted to be launching the Sustainability Fund in the Tendring district.

"The Sustainability Fund has a proven track record of helping to transform local communities and environments into places that support a sustainable future for everyone. We are really excited to see what inspiring, innovative and creative projects Tendring residents will come forward with.”

Councillor Mike Bush, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We very much welcome the launch of Veolia’s Sustainability Fund in Tendring.

“As part of Our Vision for the future of the district, we are committed to working with our partners – including our waste contractor Veolia - to champion our local environment.

“We would therefore like to encourage local community groups or individuals involved in environmental initiatives to apply to the fund and help make our district a more sustainable place to live, work and visit.

“Improving our local environment will help to improve the quality of life for our residents and enable people to take even greater pride in where they live.”

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