Circular Economy Grant program (deadline: March 3,2026)

Circular Economy Grant: Waste Less, Conserve More

The Circular Economy Grant (CEG) provides $5,000-$25,000 in funding for non-profit organizations. It supports innovative work in the upper levels of the waste hierarchy. This helps Calgary move toward zero waste and a circular economy. The pilot started in 2023 and will run through 2026.

What is a circular economy?

A circular economy eliminates waste and pollution, and conserves resources. It is a shift from a throw-away to a circular mindset to extend the lifecycle of goods, food, and resources through better design and continuous reuse, so nothing goes to waste.

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

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This pilot 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. 

Eligible Organizations

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

Eligible Projects

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.
• Reduce waste generation and encourage reuse.
• Help individuals, organizations, and/or communities that might otherwise be hard to reach and have limited access to resources.

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

Important Dates

• Preliminary Applications open: February 2, 2026, 12:01 a.m.
• Preliminary Application deadline: March 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
• Preliminary Applications decision notification: March 24, 2026
• Detailed Application deadline: April 22, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
• Detailed Applications decision notification: May 20, 2026
• CEG projects begin: September 30, 2026 (latest date to begin)
• CEG projects complete: September 30, 2027 (latest date to complete)

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