Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust

Charity Number: 1090965

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M
Geographic Focus: Cumbria

Stay updated on changes from Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £407,822 (2023/24)
  • Annual Giving: Approximately £290,000-£500,000
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 6 working weeks after trustee meetings (held twice annually)
  • Grant Range: £900 - £60,000
  • Geographic Focus: Within 10 miles of Hespin Wood or Flusco Pike landfill sites in Cumbria

Contact Details

Address: Unit 5A, Wavell Drive, Rosehill Industrial Estate, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 2ST

Phone: 01228 822106

Email: enquiries@cwmet.org.uk

Website: www.cwmet.org.uk

Pre-application support: Applicants are encouraged to telephone or email with their project postcode to confirm eligibility. An enquiry form will be emailed to assist with initial assessment.

Overview

Established in 1999, Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust (CWMET) became a registered charity (No. 1090965) in March 2002 and operates as a Company Limited by Guarantee. With an annual income of approximately £408,000, CWMET's principal activity is acting as a grant distribution body for the Landfill Communities Fund, supporting environmental and community projects across specific areas of Cumbria. Since 2013, the geographical focus has been limited to a 10-mile radius of the Hespin Wood and Flusco Pike landfill sites. CWMET is regulated by Entrust, the government environmental body regulator, and receives funding from the owners of these landfill sites through redirected landfill tax liability. The trust prides itself on offering comprehensive support beyond grant distribution, including advice on further funding sources, constitutions, and general project management.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Landfill Communities Fund Grant Programme: £900 - £60,000 (historically up to £60,000; current maximum may be £30,000)

  • Applications assessed twice yearly with fixed deadlines
  • Payments made on completion of projects
  • Cannot retrospectively fund projects - work cannot start until formal offer letter is issued

Application Deadlines:

  • Two closing dates per financial year (April 1 - March 31)
  • Recent deadlines: December 2nd, 2025; June 2nd, 2026; December 1st, 2026

Priority Areas

CWMET supports projects under specific Landfill Communities Fund “Objects”:

Object A - Land Reclamation: Reclamation, remediation or restoration of land which cannot currently be used

Object B - Pollution Prevention: Prevention of potential for pollution or remediation of pollution effects

Object D - Public Amenities: Provision, maintenance or improvement of public amenities such as parks, play areas, community halls, activity centres, or cycle paths (must be accessible to the general public)

Object DA - Biodiversity: Conservation or promotion of biological diversity by providing, conserving, restoring or enhancing natural habitats, or maintaining/aiding species recovery

Object E - Historic Buildings: Maintenance, repair or restoration of religious buildings, or buildings of historical or architectural interest, including war memorials and monuments

Recent funded projects include:

  • Activity barn for Scouts (£60,000 to Reivers District Scouts for Dutch barn at Ratlingate camp site)
  • Village playing fields and parks
  • Roman-themed museum garden (£10,000 to Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery)
  • Village hall refurbishments
  • Nature reserves

In 2013/14, CWMET distributed over £500,000 to more than 50 environmental and community projects.

Geographic Eligibility

Projects must be located within a 10-mile radius of either:

  • Hespin Wood landfill site (CA6 4BJ) in Carlisle
  • Flusco Pike landfill site (CA11 0JB) in Penrith

Applicants should provide their project postcode for confirmation of eligibility.

Eligible Organisations

  • Parish Councils
  • Community groups
  • Not-for-profit organisations
  • Must be non-profit distributing bodies
  • Must not be under the control of Cumberland Council or Westmorland & Furness Council
  • Must have a constitution that supports CWMET's objectives

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects that have already commenced (no retrospective funding)
  • Projects outside the 10-mile radius of designated landfill sites
  • Organisations under Local Authority control
  • For-profit organisations
Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

CWMET is governed by an independent board of trustees and directors who meet twice yearly to assess grant applications. No trustees receive remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

Current Directors/Trustees:

  • Paul Martin Younger (Director, appointed November 2018)
  • Stephen Trotter (Director, appointed December 2022)
  • Niall Daniel McNulty (Director, appointed May 2024)
  • Helen Christine Squires (Secretary, appointed October 2012)

Staff:

CWMET operates with two part-time staff members:

  • Grants Manager (14 hours per week)
  • Administration/Finance Officer (7 hours per week)

Staff primarily work at the end of the week, with emails and post typically checked on Friday mornings.

Grants Advisory Panel: Independent members from throughout the county assess eligible projects at area level before making recommendations to the Trust.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Registration: Successful projects are registered with Entrust (government regulator)
  2. Formal Offer: Formal offer letter issued with relevant paperwork
  3. Project Completion: Work can only commence after formal offer letter received
  4. Payment: Grant payments made on completion of the project

Decision Timeline

  • Trustee Meetings: Twice per year
  • Notification: Within 6 working weeks of the trustees meeting
  • Response Required: Successful applicants must accept or decline awards within 30 days of the trustees meeting
  • Payment: Upon project completion

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, in 2013/14, CWMET distributed over £500,000 to more than 50 projects, indicating a reasonable level of approval for eligible applications.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not detailed in public materials. Applicants are advised to contact CWMET directly for guidance on resubmitting applications.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Precision: Ensure your project falls within the strict 10-mile radius requirement. Contact CWMET early with your postcode to confirm eligibility before investing time in an application.

Landfill Communities Fund Objects Alignment: Clearly demonstrate how your project fits within one or more of the eligible LCF Objects (A, B, D, DA, or E). Use the specific terminology from the Objects in your application.

Public Accessibility: For Object D (Public Amenities) projects, ensure plans demonstrate clear public access - typically at least four evenings or two days per week, or 104 days per year.

Project Timing: Never start work before receiving the formal offer letter. CWMET cannot retrospectively fund projects, and premature commencement will result in ineligibility.

Constitution and Structure: Ensure your organization has an appropriate constitution that allows it to support CWMET's objectives and that you are not under Local Authority control.

Complete Applications: Work closely with CWMET staff during the pre-application stage. Their part-time nature means response times may be slower, but they offer valuable guidance on eligibility and application requirements.

Project Completion Focus: Demonstrate clear project plans with realistic completion timelines, as payment is only made upon project completion.

Additional Support: Take advantage of CWMET's broader advisory role - they offer help beyond just grant funding, including advice on securing additional funding, developing appropriate constitutions, and project management guidance.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Location is critical: Verify your project falls within 10 miles of Hespin Wood or Flusco Pike before applying - contact CWMET with your postcode early
  • Plan ahead: With only two annual deadlines and 6-week decision timelines, allow at least 3-4 months from application to notification
  • Don't start early: Never commence work before receiving the formal offer letter - retrospective funding is not permitted
  • Use pre-application support: Engage with CWMET's staff via phone or email to confirm eligibility and strengthen your application
  • Demonstrate public benefit: Clearly articulate how your project provides environmental or community benefits aligned with LCF Objects
  • Be patient with communications: Staff work part-time (mainly Fridays), so allow time for responses
  • Complete projects to receive payment: Ensure you have capacity to complete the project before receiving payment, as grants are paid retrospectively upon completion

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust fund?

Grant Programs Landfill Communities Fund Grant Programme: £900 - £60,000 (historically up to £60,000; current maximum may be £30,000) Applications assessed twice yearly with fixed deadlines Payments made on completion of projects Cannot retrospectively fund projects - work cannot start until formal offer letter is issued Application Deadlines: Two closing dates per financial year (April 1 - March 31) Recent deadlines: December 2nd, 2025; June 2nd, 2026; December 1st, 2026 Priority Areas CWMET supports projects under specific Landfill Communities Fund "Objects": Object A - Land Reclamation: Reclamation, remediation or restoration of land which cannot currently be used Object B - Pollution Prevention: Prevention of potential for pollution or remediation of pollution effects Object D - Public Amenities: Provision, maintenance or improvement of public amenities such as parks, play areas, community halls, activity centres, or cycle paths (must be accessible to the general public) Object DA - Biodiversity: Conservation or promotion of biological diversity by providing, conserving, restoring or enhancing natural habitats, or maintaining/aiding species recovery Object E - Historic Buildings: Maintenance, repair or restoration of religious buildings, or buildings of historical or architectural interest, including war memorials and monuments Recent funded projects include: Activity barn for Scouts (£60,000 to Reivers District Scouts for Dutch barn at Ratlingate camp site) Village playing fields and parks Roman-themed museum garden (£10,000 to Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery) Village hall refurbishments Nature reserves In 2013/14, CWMET distributed over £500,000 to more than 50 environmental and community projects. Geographic Eligibility Projects must be located within a 10-mile radius of either: Hespin Wood landfill site (CA6 4BJ) in Carlisle Flusco Pike landfill site (CA11 0JB) in Penrith Applicants should provide their project postcode for confirmation of eligibility.

How much funding does Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust provide?

Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust provides grants ranging from £900 - £60,000, with total annual giving of approximately Approximately £290,000-£500,000.

How do I contact Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust?

Address: Unit 5A, Wavell Drive, Rosehill Industrial Estate, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 2ST Phone: 01228 822106 Email: enquiries@cwmet. org.

Is Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust a registered charity?

Yes, Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 1090965). They primarily serve organisations in Cumbria.

How do I apply to Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust?

How to Apply Initial Contact: Telephone or email the office with your project postcode to confirm eligibility within the 10-mile radius Enquiry Form: CWMET will email an enquiry form to assist with confirming project eligibility Application Form: Complete the Grant Application Form (version May 2025 or current version) Submit Application: Send completed application to CWMET office by the relevant deadline Assessment Process: - Grants Manager reviews applications - Grants Advisory Panel assesses eligible projects - Trustees make final decisions at twice-yearly meetings Registration: Successful projects are registered with Entrust (government regulator) Formal Offer: Formal offer letter issued with relevant paperwork Project Completion: Work can only commence after formal offer letter received Payment: Grant payments made on completion of the project Decision Timeline Trustee Meetings: Twice per year Notification: Within 6 working weeks of the trustees meeting Response Required: Successful applicants must accept or decline awards within 30 days of the trustees meeting Payment: Upon project completion Success Rates Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, in 2013/14, CWMET distributed over £500,000 to more than 50 projects, indicating a reasonable level of approval for eligible applications. Reapplication Policy Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not detailed in public materials.

Where is Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust based?

Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust is based in Carlisle. They fund organisations in Cumbria.