£1,500 funding available for setting up a repair café

Hackney has reopened its Repair Café Grant for a second year in a row, offering groups the opportunity to apply for up to £1,500 in funding to set up and run community repair spaces. 

Repair cafes are free, community-based events where volunteers help visitors repair broken household items, such as electronics, clothes, and bicycles. The aim is to reduce waste by extending the life of everyday items, as well as helping people build practical repair skills. 

The scheme is part of the Council’s wider ambition to create a reuse- and repair-friendly borough, where residents can easily access places to fix, swap, share and recycle their items. 

Last year’s Repair Café Grant funding was awarded to a range of local organisations including two tenant and resident associations, a charity, and art school, helping bring repair events into community spaces across the borough. 

“Repair cafés don’t just help tackle waste, they’re spaces for people to come together, learn new skills and save money. 

“At a time when many of our residents are feeling the rising cost of living, these grants are all about making repair culture more widespread and accessible across Hackney. We want it to be easy for people to pop down to a free repair café, get their belongings fixed, and help reduce waste without having to travel far or spend money. 

“I encourage all eligible groups who are keen to host a café to submit an application!” 

Jacob Cable, Cabinet Member for Climate, Clean Air, Energy and Transport

Not-for-profit organisations, including charities, schools, and community groups can apply. The deadline is Sunday 5 July 2026. 

For more information and to apply, visit: hackney.gov.uk/repair-cafe-grant