We’re committing £3 million to support local tech reuse networks in 30 cities across England, Scotland and Wales.
Applications now open until 30 October 2026
Scroll down to applyThe Tech Rehome Network aims to strengthen city level device reuse programmes, improve digital inclusion outcomes for residents, and generate practical learning to support device reuse at scale.
Our ambition
Virgin Media O2 has created the Tech Rehome Network Fund to support programmes to improve digital inclusion and reduce electronic waste within cities.
We want to create device reuse networks across the UK that drive systems-level change and build evidence to help cities develop more sustainable approaches to device reuse.
Why it matters
Around 460 million unused digital devices are sitting in UK homes and businesses, while 1.5 million people across the UK do not have access to a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
It is estimated that, of the unused devices, almost six in ten – equivalent to around 267 million** phones, tablets and laptops – are still suitable for reuse or repair.
Through the Tech Rehome Network, these devices could be given a second life by being rehomed with people who need them.
As part our programme launch, Joanna Page is encouraging people to rethink what they do with unwanted devices and give them a second life with someone who needs them.
What does the Tech Rehome Network offer?
- Flexible grants of up to £100k, targeted to strengthen or scale up the device reuse system across your city over a 1-2 year period to suit your needs.
- Contribute to and benefit from shared learning with other grant holder cities as part of the evolving Tech Rehome Network.
What can be funded with the Tech Rehome Network Fund
We know that effective city-wide device reuse systems are complex and no two cities have exactly the same needs. The Fund will support cities to focus on strengthening and scaling the parts of your device reuse system that will have the greatest impact. This might include:
Strengthen and scale a sustainable eco-system for device donation
Develop and enhance local processing and refurbishment expertise, productivity, capacity or capabilities
Connect and strengthen trusted community distribution networks, along with supporting the skills, confidence and digital safety of residents to improve their lives through digital inclusion
Refine processes that strengthen the efficiency, resilience and financial sustainability of the city’s device reuse system
Develop system-wide governance, evidence and learning processes at a city level
Unused devices across the UK
Millions of phones, tablets and laptops are sitting unused in drawers across the country. Select a region to see how many devices could be given a second life through reuse or repair.
Hover and click over a region to view details
We want local authorities/councils, charities and community organisations to work together to strengthen and scale device reuse systems across their city.
Applicants should already have a device reuse mechanism in place across part or all of their city and have identified which parts of that system need to be strengthened or scaled to have wider reach or greater impact.
This is the first round of funding for the Tech Rehome Network Fund with a share of £500,000 available.
We expect to make a small number of grants in Round 1, learn from the process and make further funding available in 2027 and beyond.
If you believe that you have the potential to apply for a grant from the Tech Rehome Network Fund but are not yet ready to do so, you can apply in future rounds when further funds will be available.
Where can I find out more?
Please download the full Guidance for Applicants to read about the detailed priorities, eligibility, assessment and timelines for the Tech Rehome Network Fund.
Read the Guidance for Applicants
DownloadTo start a new application to the Tech Rehome Network Fund, use this link: https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/c8c503a8-7de1-4e4e-bed0-4cf5e6ab2d83
You can save and return to the application form; you do not need to complete it in one go.
To return to the grant portal to continue with an application, use this link: https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/applications
You can watch a recorded introduction to the Fund after 23rd September.
For any queries related to eligibility and the fund, please contact our grant making partner Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) at techrehomenetwork@cafonline.org
Our previous work
We’ve been supporting organisations, communities and grass roots organisations to address some of these challenges for many years, and it’s from these insights and learnings that the Tech Reuse Network has developed. Read more about our previous work and partnerships below.
Partnership with Coventry City Council
Virgin Media O2 partnered with Coventry City Council, initially providing funding through the 2024 Time After Time Fund. In September 2025, the partnership expanded into an 18-month collaboration with the ambition of making Coventry the UK’s first self-sustaining city for device reuse, delivering both social and environmental benefits. See our partnership announcement.
The learnings from this partnership continue to shape the Tech Reuse Network, informing both the programme’s design and the key challenges it seeks to address. Read the Coventry Phase One Learning Report.
Research from The Green Alliance
Research commissioned by Virgin Media O2 and delivered by Green Alliance highlighted a significant challenge: the supply of reusable devices is failing to meet growing demand. Read the Making the Connection report.
Partnering with environmental charity Hubbub
In 2023–24, Virgin Media O2 and environmental charity Hubbub launched the Time After Time Fund, supporting grassroots organisations to tackle both e-waste and digital exclusion. One key finding was how heavily many organisations rely on short-term grant funding. The Tech Reuse Network aims to address this through a longer-term, system-wide approach. Download the Time After Time Impact Report.
Power2Connect one of our previous Time after Time grant recipients
Timelines
What are the timescales for the Tech Rehome Network Fund?
- Round 1 application window: 8 September – 30 October 2026
- We aim to make and communicate decisions by end of December 2026
- Grant offer, validation, contracting and payment: January – March 2027
- Activities should start no earlier than March 2027; your grant term can last for between 9-24 months, according to your local need
- Insight and outcome conversations will take place during your grant term, in order to contribute to and benefit from shared learning as part of the Tech Rehome Network
- End of Grant report due one month after your grant term completes
How do I apply?
The Tech Rehome Network Fund is supported by our grantmaking partner, Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). All applications for a grant will be made via CAF’s online grant portal. Before you start, please ensure you have read the Guidance for Applicants document thoroughly, as it includes important information to help you make the best application for support from the Fund.
- To start a new application to the Tech Rehome Network Fund, use this link: https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/c8c503a8-7de1-4e4e-bed0-4cf5e6ab2d83
- You will be asked to create a Blackbaud ID account for the CAF grantmaking portal (or to log in if you have already used this portal previously).
- Complete a series of short eligibility questions to ensure your organisation is eligible to apply. If eligible, you are directed to the main application form.
- Complete the application form and upload the supporting documents required, further details of which can be found in the Guidance for Applicants.
- Submit your application before the deadline of Friday 30 October 5.00pm.
You can save and return to the application form; you do not need to complete it in one go. To return to the grant portal to continue with an application, use this link: https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/applications
How is my data used?
When you apply for this grant programme, you will be directed to CAF’s carefully selected service provider (Blackbaud) to register an account and enter the details of your grant application. Blackbaud provides the application platform on behalf of CAF and processes personal data in accordance with its contractual arrangements with CAF. Blackbaud’s privacy policy can be viewed here. CAF and Virgin Media O2 will process your personal data in connection with the assessment, administration and delivery of the grant programme. Please refer to CAF’s Privacy Notice and Virgin Media O2’s privacy policy for more information on how your data will be used.
Establishing a more circular economy for devices
It’s not a term that gets used in everyday language- circular economy. In reality, it means getting as much use out of things that already exist before they reach the end of their life. For this to happen, we need to have infrastructure, systems and an opportunity for people to engage in these behaviours. The Tech Rehome Network aims to unlock the barriers to widespread reuse by addressing the systemic infrastructure and behavioural challenges that block widescale tech reuse.
We also need to say goodbye to the old linear system of take, make, use and dispose- this system doesn’t work for people or our planet.
And that’s not the only benefit. By keeping giving devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops a longer life we also gain environmental benefits. Reusing devices means less new materials are needed, fewer carbon emissions are created through the production of new devices and, of course, there are financial benefits to reuse. New skills can be developed and shared across repair, refurbishment and reuse.
Keen to apply to the Tech Rehome Network Fund?
Apply now