Up to $100,000 to support businesses, local authorities, industry groups, not-for-profit organisations, social enterprises and research institutions to accelerate transition to a more circular economy.
On this page you will find
What is the Circular Business and Market Development Grants?
The Circular Business and Market Development Grant, facilitated by Green Industries SA, offers a robust support system for initiatives aimed at enhancing circular economy practices across South Australia. This grant seeks to accelerate the adoption and upscale of circular design, reuse, and repair business models, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship and economic resilience.
Circular Business and Market Development Grants level of support
Applicants can seek funding up to $100,000 per project. Notably, the grant stipulates a co-contribution requirement:
- For-profit, private sector businesses must co-contribute at least 50% of the project costs. This cannot include in-kind contributions.
- Not-for-profits, councils, industry associations, social enterprises, and research institutions can potentially receive up to 100% funding, though applications for more than 50% funding must provide adequate justification for the additional support
Circular Business and Market Development Grants important dates
- All applications should be submitted by 5pm on Friday, 31 January 2025
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Circular Business and Market Development Grants objectives
The grant’s objectives are multifold, focusing on:
- Enhancing the longevity and value of products and materials.
- Facilitating market acceptance and demand for recycled or refurbished products.
- Supporting the transparency, quality, and supply of waste feedstock for recycled content production
Projects and expenditure eligible for Circular Business and Market Development Grants support
Eligible projects must clearly demonstrate the need for government funding and support at least one of the 3 focus areas:
- Focus area 1: Circular economy business models, solutions and practices that prioritise circular design, waste avoidance and reduction, reuse, repair and repurposing
- Focus area 2: Refurbished/repaired and/or recycled content products: Validate and improve the transparency, quality and performance of local refurbished/repaired or recycled-content products
- Focus area 3: Market development: Develop new markets or expand existing markets for circular economy business models, solutions and practices, or refurbished/repaired or recycled-content products.
Funding will prioritise projects that address the following material streams, noting that other material streams may also be considered:
- Plastics
- Textiles
- Food waste and organics
- E-waste
- Batteries (excluding used lead acid batteries)
- Tyres
- Emerging and/or other problematic waste materials (including solar PV panels, wind turbine blades and CCA treated timber)
- Paper and cardboard
- Glass
- Scrap metals
Funding will not be provided for:
- projects that are not consistent with the objectives of South Australia’s Waste Strategy 2020-2025 or the Circular Business and Market Development Grants Program
- retrospective activities, that is, projects and project components that are completed prior to submitting a funding application, or are likely to commence prior to signing a funding agreement with Green Industries SA
- projects that have received full funding for the same activities from other sources
- projects that focus on water and energy (these may be co-benefits)
- projects that do not clearly demonstrate a need for government support
- general organisational administration or operating costs, such as electricity, water and other utilities costs
- staff costs that are not directly related to project delivery
- travel expenses
- capital purchases (such as infrastructure or equipment)
- equipment purchasing or leasing, unless it is for product testing and validation
- lease or purchase of land
- government permit, licensing and approval costs
- contingency costs
- standards testing for packaging, including alternatives to single-use plastics.
See the guidelines for full details of projects and expenditure eligible for funding.
Other Circular Business and Market Development Grants important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Circular Business and Market Development Grants support
Applications will be accepted from:
- Businesses
- Local government
- Industry associations
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Social enterprises
- Research institutions.
That are seeking to:
- Design, apply and scale-up innovative circular economy business models, solutions and practices
- Produce, manufacture, sell or promote South Australian recycled content, refurbished or repaired products.
All applicants must be legally constituted entities.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Circular Business and Market Development Grants assessment criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Innovation (25% weighting): The project’s innovative approach to addressing market challenges.
- Market Opportunity (25% weighting): The potential to tap into new or existing markets.
- Environmental, Social, and Economic Benefits (30% weighting): The expected impact on South Australia’s sustainable development.
- Value for Money (20% weighting): Efficiency of grant funding use relative to the project’s outcomes.
Non-weighted criteria – the following must be assessed as sufficient for the application to be regarded as eligible for potential grant funding (also dependent upon meeting weighted criteria requirements).
- A clear and credible description of the proposed project activities
- Capacity and capability to manage the project
- Project risk management, measurement and evaluation
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
How do I get the Circular Business and Market Development Grants?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the Circular Business and Market Development Grants application
Applicants must prepare and include the following with their application:
- Completed application form.
- Signed declaration.
- All supporting documentation and evidence of co-contributions.
- Ensure all files are in Microsoft Word or PDF format and do not exceed 10MB in size.
See the guidelines for more details of information requirements.
Applying for the Circular Business and Market Development Grants
Applicants can access the application form available on the administrator’s page. The applications must be delivered by email and will be acknowledged as ‘received’ via return email within 5 business days of the submission date. If an application is sent via email and not acknowledged within that timeframe, contact 08 8429 8435.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Circular Business and Market Development Grants resources
Is Your Business Eligible for This Government Grant?
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