Launched on 4 February 2003, this programme was designed to support community based recycling, reuse, composting, awareness raising and capacity building. The Fund chose the following partnership: Forward Scotland, the Recycling Advisory Group Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Scottish Environmental Protection agency to deliver £5.25 million worth of grants.
Grants of between £20,000 and £300,000 were available over a maximum of three year period and aim to:
- Increase the amount and range of materials diverted away from final disposal by providing the infrastructure to collect material and establish new waste recycling, reuse and composting projects
- Increase the numbers of households participating in waste recycling, reuse and composting projects through education, expansion of existing projects and activities to increase the range of materials collected
- Develop sustainable communities by building on the existing skills base and to provide opportunities for all to participate and increase awareness.
There was no fixed rate of grant, but applicants were encouraged to seek additional funding frorm other sources.