The RWM Ambassadors panel has awarded £15,000 of funding to waste management charity Waste Aid, which seeks to provide vulnerable communities with the education and resources to set up waste enterprises.

When i2i events (the organisers of the RWM in partnership with CIWM event) announced the launch of the panel in April of this year, it outlined that it would provide £15,000 to support projects that can boost ‘the good of the sector’.

The decision to award the money to Waste Aid was made by the 25 ambassadors, representing the waste and resources industry, retail, and local government, last week.

The charity will shortly be invited to present ideas to the ambassadors on how the money might be spent. There are currently seven partner Waste Aid organisations in developing countries, already delivering waste management projects in countries such as Kenya, India and Ghana.

Speaking of the funding, Mike Webster, Chair of Waste Aid International, said: “This £15,000 fund from the RWM Ambassadors means we can make a quantum leap as an organisation in the UK. It means we can work closely with our partners in the developing world and start making a significant difference in helping them deal with and generate income from waste. This funding is a key building block for our new organisation and the beginning of something big.”

Sarah Porter, Divisional Director for the environment events at i2i, which includes RWM, added: “We’re delighted that the RWM Ambassadors have chosen such a worthy cause for the ambassadors’ fund this year, and one for which £15,000 will make such a significant impact. It had overwhelming support of the ambassadors and we received great feedback when we announced this at the RWM event today.”

Another £15,000 fund will be made in 2015.

Find out more about Waste Aid.