Circular Economy Innovation Fund
The Circular Economy Innovation Fund supported innovative circular economy opportunities for businesses in Victoria.
Prior to 1 July 2022, this fund was named the Recycling Victoria Innovation Fund.
The grants were part of the Recycling Victoria policy funding.
Funded projects
View projects funded by these grants.
Funding provided
Round 1
Round 1 opportunities aligned to the principles of:
- designing out waste
- maintaining product and material value over a longer period of time.
Funding was distributed through 2 streams:
- Stream 1: Food Innovation was for collaborative partnerships that identified opportunities and apply innovative circular economy business models and practices for food waste or for the food sector
- Stream 2: Collaborative Innovation was for collaborative partnerships that identified, developed and/or scaled-up innovative circular economy business models and practices. Projects needed to address systemic barriers with innovative thinking and practice.
Between $75,000 and $450,000 was available per grant. Successful applicants were required to provide a co-contribution of $1 for every $1 granted.
Round 1 applications closed on 15 February 2021.
Round 2
Round 2 aimed to support circular economy projects that design out waste to improve environmental and economic outcomes for Victoria.
It was distributed through 2 streams:
- Stream 1: Textiles Innovation focused on preventing textile waste.
- Stream 2: Collaborative Innovation focused on preventing waste from multiple organisations in a specific supply chain, sector or region.
Between $75,000 and $150,000 per project was available in stream 1. Between $150,000 and $250,000 was available per project in stream 2. Successful applicants were required to provide a co-contribution of $1 for every $1 granted.
Round 2 applications closed on 15 November 2021.
Round 3
Round 3 supported projects that focused on the research and development of innovative market solutions that apply circular design.
These projects prevent, minimise or eliminate waste and pollution and keep products and materials in use – at the highest value – for longer.
The projects must be:
- delivered by a Collaborative Partnership
- innovative (have never been done in Victoria before).
Projects must improve the environmental outcomes of products, services, industries, supply chains or systems and contribute to Victoria’s transition to a Circular Economy.
Between $50,000 and $400,000 was available per grant per project. Successful applicants were required to provide a co-contribution of $1 for every $2 granted.
Round 3 applications closed on 12 April 2023.
Round 4
Round 4 supported businesses and collaborative partnerships to build business capability in circular economy.
Projects were funded that improved awareness and understanding of circular economy and enhance circular economy business innovation in Victoria.
Between $50,000 and $400,000 was available per grant per project. Successful applicants were required to provide a co-contribution of $1 for every $4 granted.
Round 4 applications closed on 14 March 2024.