We’ve pulled together a few questions which we think you might want to ask. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to email the team at: greencityschools@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk
Who is the Greater Manchester Combined Authority?
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is made up of the ten Greater Manchester councils and the Mayor, who work with other local services, businesses, communities, and other partners to improve the city-region. The ten councils include Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan.
What is the aim of the Eco Grants for Schools programme?
The aim of the Eco Grants for Schools programme is to empower schools to develop climate action projects that benefit both the school environment and the wider community. The programme focuses on inspiring small acts of positive climate action and sustainable behaviour change, particularly in areas such as waste reduction and circular economy, climate education focused on sustainable lifestyles, and sustainable food and tackling food waste.
Which education establishments can apply?
All Greater Manchester Local Education Authority Schools or Academy Trust schools can apply for this funding. These include Special Educational Need establishments, nurseries, primary and high schools, college and Pupil Referral Units.
Applications are actively encouraged from education establishments located in areas of high levels of deprivation and with high levels of free school meals. These schools will be awarded additional points during evaluation scoring.
What geographical location does the Eco Grants for Schools programme cover?
The Eco Grants for Schools programme covers the geographical location of Greater Manchester, which includes the ten councils: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan.
What type of projects will be funded?
The Eco Grants for Schools programme funds projects that promote sustainable lifestyles within the school environment and beyond. This includes initiatives focused on waste reduction, supporting reuse, repair and longer use of materials, and help people adopt more sustainable everyday habits.
We are particularly interested in projects that:
- Reduce waste
- Support reuse, repair and longer use of materials
- Help people adopt more sustainable everyday habits
Projects should involve the whole school community – including pupils, staff, families and local organisations – and create lasting change.
We are especially interested in projects that address key priority areas such as:
- Reducing food waste and improving how food is used
- Reducing plastics and single-use items
- Tackling fashion and textile waste through repair, reuse and behaviour change
Strong projects will:
- Reduce waste and prevent materials from being thrown away
- Promote repair, reuse and sharing, rather than buying new
- Help people make better everyday choices in what they buy, use and throw away
- Include practical, hands-on activities
- Link to the school curriculum and real-life learning (e.g. Design & Technology, Food, PSHE)
- Help pupils develop practical life skills and awareness of green careers
- Lead to long-term behaviour change
- Show clear outcomes (e.g. waste reduced, items reused, behaviours changed)
Additionally, projects should showcase broader impacts including improvements in health and wellbeing, skill enhancement, confidence building, community cohesion and engagement, as well as neighbourhood improvements.
What we will not fund:
- Nature and biodiversity projects will NOT be funded in round 3. Schools interested in these should apply to the next round of the Green Spaces Fund.
- Projects focused on recycling alone, without reducing or reusing, will not be funded.
Can I submit more than one project application?
Only one application may be submitted per school.
Can I apply if I have previously submitted an application in Round 1?
Schools that have previously submitted an unsuccessful application to Eco Grants are welcome to reapply. Any resubmission must meet the criteria for Round 3. Schools that have already received funding through the Eco Grants programme may apply again. However, priority will be given to new applicants.
What will happen if I forget or don’t complete all the application form?
If you forget or don’t complete all the application form, your application will be rejected.
What will happen if I fail to include any of the essential information required?
If you fail to include any of the essential information required, your application will be rejected.
Applications that are incomplete or exceed the character limit will not be accepted.
Can I apply after the deadline?
No. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Will you fund one-off events?
One-off events will not be funded. All interventions must take place over multiple sessions throughout the school year and deliver long-lasting change.
Who decides which projects are funded?
The Eco Grants for Schools (Greater Manchester) is run by the GMCA. After the deadline has closed, projects will be evaluated based on the eligibility criteria outlined in the guidance notes. Eligible projects will be evaluated by a team of GMCA Officers.
When do I need to submit my application?
Opening Date for applications is noon, 18th June 2026. Applications for funding can be submitted up to noon on Friday 31st July 2026. The fund may close early if a high number of applications are received, so we encourage schools to apply as soon as possible.
How much can I apply for?
Schools can apply for funding up to £2,000.
What can be funded?
- Materials and resources. This refers to items needed specifically for the project. For example, if your project tackles food waste, items like scales for weighing food waste, containers for sorting waste, and charts for tracking progress in reducing waste would be covered but general office supplies would not.
- Equipment hire or purchase fees. This refers to costs for renting or buying equipment needed for the project. For example, hiring or buying tools for a community vegetable garden would be covered but buying a new computer for general office use would not.
- Training suppliers/specialist facilitators delivering activities. This includes costs for hiring experts to deliver specific project-related training or activities. For example, hiring a specialist to conduct a workshop on upcycling would be covered, but general staff training not related to the project would not.
- Engagement materials. This includes costs for creating materials to promote or engage the community in the project. For example, printing flyers for a community event would be covered, but creating promotional materials for a business would not.
- Transport costs if activities are delivered off-site. This includes costs for transporting participants to and from project activities held at different locations. For example, renting a bus to take students for a hands-on workshop on reuse and waste management would be covered.
What can’t be funded?
- Capital costs or core staff costs that are not project specific. This includes expenses like building renovations or salaries for permanent staff.
- Activities or applications that promote political or religious beliefs. Projects that aim to advance specific political agendas or religious doctrines are not eligible. For instance, a campaign to support a political candidate or that promote a particular religion would not be funded.
- Projects which financially benefit an individual/s. Projects that provide direct financial gain to individuals are not eligible. For example, a project that pays individuals for their participation would not be funded.
- Projects that are requesting replacement equipment unless clearly part of the wider project. Funding is not available for replacing existing equipment that is not part of the project. For example, buying a new printer to replace an old one would not be covered.
- Business as usual activities. Routine operational activities that are part of the school’s regular functions are not eligible. For example, daily office operations or updating a school’s website.
- Projects which duplicate services that are already the responsibility of a Local Authority. Projects that replicate services already provided by local authorities are not eligible. For instance, setting up a waste collection service in an area where the local council already provides this service would not be funded.
- Projects that focus on: Nature or biodiversity as the main activity; Recycling alone, without reducing or reusing; One-off events with no lasting impact.
How will the funding be paid to my school?
The funding will be transferred to your school from the GMCA after schools have been notified of their award and a Grant Funding Agreement has been signed. We will require you to complete a new supplier form and provide your full bank account information alongside the contact details of your school’s Finance Manager.
How frequently will we need to submit evaluation and monitoring reports?
At the halfway point, we’ll request an interim report to check on progress. Additionally, all projects must submit a final evaluation report detailing outcomes compared to fund objectives, successes, and lessons learned.
Is help available for my application?
Should you want to chat with a member of the team, please email greencityschools@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk
What happens after 12 months?
We aim for all school projects to last beyond the 12-month funding period and leave a lasting impact. Applications showing plans for sustainability after 12 months will be preferred. This could involve older pupils teaching younger ones or the project generating enough profit to sustain itself.
Will you contact me about other opportunities?
Yes. We may contact you about current and future sustainability and climate action opportunities for schools delivered or supported by GMCA, where this is relevant to your application or participation. You can opt out of these communications at any time by contacting GreenCitySchools@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk.
