As North London Waste Authority (NLWA) reopens applications for the North London Community Fund (NLCF), the authority has confirmed that a record-breaking £1 million will be available to north London community groups over the next four years.
Established in 2017, the NLCF is now the UK’s largest community-based waste-reduction fund. It offers funding to grassroots organisations for waste-reduction activities, with a range of grants available from microgrants of a few hundred pounds right through to £100,000 for large projects. Programmes that received funding in the past have included low-waste cooking workshops, textile repair cafes, woodworking classes and an innovative electric repair voucher scheme piloted in 2025.
The £1 million commitment sees funding locked in for the next four years, offering certainty for applicants with longer-term projects. Since its inception in 2017 the funding pot available through the NLCF has grown every year, in recognition of the success of the projects and their ongoing impact in the community. This unprecedented long-term funding commitment will ensure the fund expands even further in coming years.
“Since 2017, NLWA has awarded nearly £1 million in funding to some really deserving recipients – and with this huge expansion we’re able to offer the same again in half the time.” said NLWA Chair Councillor Clyde Loakes. “Last year we received 62 applications for our small and medium grants funding pot, so we’re really excited to see what incredible waste reduction programmes will be in store from next year.”
Applications for the first round of 2026-27 funding (for micro, small and medium projects) opened on 5 December, and will remain open until 16 February 2026. The fund is designed to support NLWA’s Waste Prevention Plan, and the organisation’s goal of preserving resources and the environment for the benefit of all north Londoners, recognising that community groups often are the best way to secure behaviour change, support and buy-in for waste prevention.
The NLCF puts funding directly in the pockets of community groups to create environmental benefits at the grassroots level. For example, one recipient in 2025 was The Go Green Eco Urban Collective, a social justice and sustainability group based in Haringey, who used the NLCF funding to host workshops and an eco festival. The organisers said: “NLWA listened to what we do and how we reach underrepresented groups, truly meeting people where they are at. We’re grateful that NLWA believed in our mission and gave us the opportunity to deliver the project.”
The NLWA website contains a full list of all previous recipients and details of funded programmes.
The announcement of the 2026-27 funding comes after NLWA ran a series of workshops with local residents to redesign the fund’s application process. The aim was to make the process more accessible and attract applications from an even more diverse mix of community groups. Groups can apply online, and reach out to our Waste Prevention team via email for any support.
Councillor Loakes said: “The groups we support through the NLCF aren’t just helping to prevent waste – they’re a vital part of our local communities, providing local residents with opportunities for friendship and social connection. It’s fantastic to be able to support that while also providing environmental benefits for all north Londoners.”
This sentiment was reflected in comments from another previous fund recipient, bicycle upcycling outfit London Cycling Club, whose organisers said: “The North London Community Fund gave us the support to turn our bike recycling and donation project into reality, making a huge difference for the families who needed it most and creating lasting positive impact across our community.”
Funding will be available for groups operating in the seven north London boroughs NLWA serves: Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest.