Is your organisation looking to put something back into the community but you’re unsure who needs it and how to make it work?
Here’s how your business can get involved…
By supporting our school sustainability programmes, you can help young people develop vital skills, tackle the climate emergency, and build a brighter future for Greater Manchester.
Making good use of Social Value within Greater Manchester Schools
“Social Value is the positive impact an organisation has on society beyond its financial bottom line. While profit is tracked in traditional accounting terms, Social Value is measured by the actions an organisation takes to improve the world around it.
“Social Value matters because it’s the right thing to do. If you can conduct business in a way that makes the world a better place, why wouldn’t you?”
We are doing all we can to inspire and engage young people, tomorrow’s thought-leaders, the chance to get stuck in and deliver sustainability projects which have a positive impact on their local environment and lives.
Over the years, GMCA have been enabling small school projects and enterprises to get off the ground and into playgrounds and school halls. These projects are not lacking ideas or enthusiasm from young people and education staff, however they would benefit from small amounts of funding for tools, resources and training, this is where local businesses can help.
Greater Manchester Eco Grants for Schools
Last October (2024) we softly launched a new Eco Grants for School programme and were blown-away by the number and quality of the 56 applications from education establishments across the region. The application timeframe was for 8 weeks and closed at the end of December. After evaluation, 29 projects were awarded funding of up to £2K. These projects are now progressing nicely.
The programme has been initially funded by GMCA, with the intention of proving:
- a need and uptake from schools for small amounts of funding,
- the success and added-value benefits of the funding to the school environment and community
- and ultimately sustainability of the projects and the programme as a whole.
“The grant money from GMCA has allowed our children to become involved in a ‘real life’ project. They are watching their ideas and plans come to fruition with the building of our large chicken coop and run and are busy learning what we need to provide for the ex-battery hens to settle well into their new surroundings. The grant has allowed the children to see the amount of thought and planning that goes into animal care and the learning that will take place regarding food production is just beginning. The grant has opened up an opportunity for our children to learn beyond the curriculum.” Head Teacher, Parochial CE Primary School
Once again, we are looking for this programme to be self-sustaining through the generosity of regional businesses who would like to channel small amounts of funding into school projects.
School Allotment and Remembrance Garden Eco Grants Project
Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School, Davyhulme is using their eco grant funding to address the issue of food waste, but also to create a space that would serve multiple purposes; environmental education, wellbeing and community connection.
“The eco grant is instrumental in making this project possible. What started as a response to food waste is blossoming into a cross-curricular, community-driven space that promotes sustainability, wellbeing and remembrance. We are incredibly grateful for the support and we’re excited to continue building on this success. Thank you for choosing OLOR as a school you wanted to support.”
Greater Manchester School Eco Refill Shops
We are now into the third round of School Eco Refill Shops, a pupil-led enterprise within the school. Our Eco Refill programme teaches pupils how to set up and operate a shop selling refills of household products such as body wash and hand wash. The shops open once a month and everyone from staff, pupils, parents and the wider community are encouraged to bring their own containers to refill.
So far, twenty-Five schools across Greater Manchester have already received funding to help them launch their Eco Refill Shops. The aim is to give young people the skills and tools to play a part in tackling the climate emergency and be part of the UK’s low-carbon circular economy. The school shops also support learning workplace skills, building good habits and taking responsibility for the success of the shop.
“The Pupils Profit initiative has offered hands-on learning that has provided my pupils with valuable business, environmental and life skills that will support them well as they move to secondary education.” Mellor Primary Year 6 Teacher
The second 2024 wave of the School Eco Refill Shop programme was funded by GMCA with additional funding from Salford City Council and Suez recycling and recovery UK, enabling 15 schools to host their own shop for 2025. For the third wave of the programme we are pleased to report that Suez Recycling and Recovery UK are continuing to support the programme and in addition, we have received a kind donation from Next Energy, an official GMCA Eco provider.
Kirsty Powell from Next Energy said
“We’re proud to contribute to such an impactful initiative and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes it will bring.”
School Refill Shops are open across Greater Manchester
The Greater Manchester School ECO Refill Shop initiative has demonstrated the significant impact that school-based refill shops can have on reducing plastic waste, fostering children’s skills, and promoting sustainable behaviours within the community. The project not only highlights the importance of reducing single-use plastics but also demonstrates the value of hands-on, pupil-led initiatives in driving environmental change.
“The children’s focus on running a business has been excellent. The children really enjoy the idea of running the shop. We have included a uniform swap shop now that runs alongside the eco shop and this is starting to help support the reuse element we want to focus on.” Hamer Primary School
How to get involved
Join other forward-thinking organisations in creating lasting social value.
By supporting these school initiatives, your organisation will directly enable practical, pupil-led sustainability projects, making a real difference where it matters most.
If you would like more information on how your business can support these programmes with a donation of £5K (or more!), please contact the team.
Together, we can do more.
***
*Content credit: What is Social Value? Definitions and examples for businesses
