Applications for 2026/27 will open on the 5 December 2025 and close on the 16th February 2026.
Keep an eye out for updates to this page.
Application Process
When the applications open in the future all guidance documents and templates will be released on our Annual grant giving webpage, or for more information about the North London Community Fund sign up to our newsletter.
Following a thorough evaluation process, North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has awarded large grants to The Restart Project, in collaboration with ReLondon, and Octopus Community Network after the fund was split into two stages for the first time. They will both deliver waste reduction interventions with a behaviour change focus over a two-year period, aiming to reach north London communities not currently participating in pro-environmental behaviours.
We have also announced our 25/26 funding year recipients. The twenty selected recipients, representing the seven north London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest, have been granted awards of up to £15,000 each. The projects cover a variety of strategies to reduce different waste streams, including food, plastics, textile, electrical and household waste.
Criteria
Who is eligible to apply?
Any legally constituted organisation that operates as a community-based (non-profit making) organisation is eligible to apply. Projects must be delivered in one or more of the north London boroughs, but it is not a requirement for the organisation to be.
- Charitable Trust
- Unincorporated Association
- Community Benefit Society / Cooperative Society registered under the Co-Operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014
- Charitable Company
- Community Interest Company
- Company Limited by Guarantee
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation
What waste prevention activities will be considered?
We are open to a diverse range of waste prevention approaches and there is no prescribed methodology. However, we do not fund projects dealing with business waste at the moment, even if the aim is to benefit households. It is also important to clearly connect the waste prevention activity you are proposing to a reduction in household waste.
What is the evaluation criteria?
When preparing your application, please keep in mind our evaluation criteria:
- Innovation and creativity in approach to achieve household waste prevention
- Robustness of measurement and evaluation framework for the project against measurable outputs and targets
- Demonstration of the deliverability of the proposal against key project milestones
- Replicability, longevity, and legacy. Demonstration of commitment to the project after the funding period
- Cost effectiveness and value for money
We are currently reviewing the North London Community Fund and this may be updated in the future through a co-design process.
Award Timeline
- Application opens - 5 December 2025
- NLCF Q&A webinar - 17 December 2025
- NLCF Q&A webinar - 14 January 2026
- Deadline for applicant questions - 22 January 2026
- Deadline for NLWA to respond to applicant questions - 29 January 2026
- Application closes - 5pm, 16 February 2026
- Application evaluation - February 2026 - March 2026
- Application outcome - March 2026
