The Full-Circle Challenge application is straightforward.

Step 1: 

Complete the online application form providing some details on:

• Biodata on themselves
• Product/service idea
• Potential impact
• Business/NGO registration documents, if applicable

Step 2: 

Applications will be screened, and 20 participants will be invited to attend a coaching/mentorship programme, which will assist in ideation and pitch presentation. Participants will prepare:

• A 10-page business plan
• A 90-second video pitch
• A media kit

All information submitted by applicants will be confidential.

Through an IDB-Lab grant, The Cropper Foundation and COSTAATT are supporting the identification and development of circular economy organisations in Trinidad and Tobago.

“The Catalysing and Connecting the Circular Economy” project aims to pilot a viable private sector driven model to promote sustainable recycling and circular economy interventions in Trinidad and Tobago. The project is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank Innovation Laboratory (IDB-LAB) and is being executed by the Cropper Foundation (TCF) in partnership with key private sector companies; Container Recycling Services Ltd – Every Bottle Back TT, Nestle TT and New Age Recycling.

The project began in early 2022 and is expected to end in July 2024. The joint support and investments provided by the IDB-LAB and private sector partners will contribute to the achievement of the project’s objective through the implementation of four (4) key components:

1:Catalysing Behaviour Change

2: Piloting the Recycling Process

3: Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination 

4: Support for Circular Economy Businesses. 

This is a grant, which means it is not to be repaid. This grant will provide direct funding to entrepreneurs, SMEs or public benefit organisations to advance their work in the circular economy within Trinidad and Tobago.

A small enterprise in T&T is defined as having a staff of between 6 and 25 employees and sales of up to TT$5m (USD$770,000) annually. In comparison, a medium enterprise has 26-50 employees and sales of up to TT$10m (USD$1.5m) annually.

• Entrepreneurs
• Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in any industry of Trinidad and Tobago
• Non-profit organisations

Please note that all SMEs and Non-profit organisations must be:

• • Registered and involved in any of the industries of Trinidad and Tobago. These can include sole traders, partnerships, and limited liability companies.
  • In operation for at least one year.
  • Focused on creating and delivering a product or service that promotes circular economy concepts.

No, all participants must be registered in Trinidad and Tobago; however, local SMEs may have a foreign partner as long as at least 50% of the partnership belongs to the firm in T&T.

There will be three (3) awards of TT$100,000 and two (2) awards of TT$20,000. One of the TT$100,000 grants is reserved for organisations operating within the public benefit sector.

• Professional fees of experts contracted for the project
• Costs associated with hiring staff or assigning existing staff specifically to the project during the implementation of the project
• Fees for external technical testing services
• Prototyping costs
• Consumables related to the project
• Graphic design: identity, logo, packaging, brochures, social media
• Marketing material during the project period – e.g. trials
• Packaging material during the project period – e.g. trials
• Sales and marketing during the project period – e.g. trials
• Certification and auditing –related to an innovation
• Intellectual property –professional fees and registration in the first market
• Raw material –for testing, demonstration purposes and piloting the innovation
• Rent of special facilities related to project development -e.g. temperature-controlled room, laboratory facility

Applicants will be selected based on how well aligned their product or service is with the goals of the Full-Circle Challenge and, by extension, a circular economy.

The Full Circle Challenge is designed to identify activities and services that focus on promoting circular economy behaviours, activities, products and services that reduce the use of finite resources and close material loops within Trinidad and Tobago

The Circular Economy is a model where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. It promotes the continued circulation of products and materials through maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting. The circular economy addresses global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution, by decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. More information can be found at https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/

The circular economy provides us with tools that can assist in combating climate change and biodiversity loss while addressing social challenges. It promotes prosperity, jobs, and resilience while reducing the challenges of greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and pollution.

Circular economy solutions seek ways to use materials already in use more efficiently, conserving resources. Products can use less resources or are designed to eliminate waste. As a people, we have many examples of circular behaviours.

• Example 1: Agricultural waste used to create compost for use as fertilisers or feed on the farm.

Example 2: Using waste plastic as an additive in creating cement products and avoiding using a portion of sand.