Get in touch

We'd love to hear from you.

Feel free to contact us on 08000 025 889 or by emailing hello@barleycommunications.co.uk

Book in a Barley comms clinic

As part of Barley’s ongoing commitment to support organisations that are making a positive change in the world, we offer a free comms clinic.

We’re here to provide advice and a confidential sounding board to help you navigate your communications challenges. Share your details below to book a session with Barley’s senior communications experts.

Contact Sheet Form ('25)
Areas of interest for discussion
I have read the Privacy Policy and consent to be contacted by Barley Communications

Case study

Supercharging communications for circular economy innovators 

back

Organisation type

Charity/third sector

Membership organisation

Private sector

Sector

Environment and sustainability

Infrastructure

Service

Behaviour change

Brand

Campaigns

Content development

Copywriting

Design

Digital

Events

Influencer engagement

Marketing

Media relations

Social media

Stakeholder engagement

Strategy

Video and photography

Websites

The brief

CIWM is a membership organisation working towards a world beyond waste. As momentum grows around the circular economy, CIWM wanted to strengthen its leadership role by actively supporting innovation across the sector.
CIWM launched its first Circular Economy Innovators Fund to help six start-ups fast-track their communications, marketing and design. Barley was appointed to support both the launch of the fund and the delivery of tailored communications support for each successful business — demonstrating how strategic communications can accelerate growth, visibility and impact for early-stage circular economy innovators.

Insights and approach

The fund brought together six very different organisations, operating across fashion, packaging, electronics, construction and materials innovation. Our challenge was to move quickly, while ensuring each business received support that was genuinely relevant to its needs, audiences and ambitions.
We began with a strong strategic grounding, running workshops with each innovator to understand their proposition, challenges and opportunities. This audience-first approach ensured messaging was focused, credible and designed to drive action — whether that meant media engagement, customer sign-ups, event attendance or behaviour change.
From there, we developed bespoke communications plans and delivered high-quality content across channels, including press releases, leadership commentary, social media assets and brand video. Alongside delivery, we provided ongoing counsel to help teams make the most of their new assets and build confidence in using communications as a tool for growth beyond the six-month support period.

Results

Barley delivered tailored communications support for all six innovators, helping them sharpen their stories, raise their profiles and build momentum at critical points in their development.

The work resulted in widespread media coverage, significant growth in social media audiences, increased commercial traction and successful product and brand launches. At the same time, CIWM strengthened its position as a forward-thinking, practical membership organisation with a clear role in supporting the next generation of circular economy leaders.The Circular Economy Innovators Fund also exceeded expectations at launch, attracting strong interest from across the UK and Ireland and reinforcing CIWM’s credibility as a champion of innovation within the waste and resources sector.

60+

funding applications received

45

pieces of media coverage secured across packaging, environment, fashion and business titles

175m

opportunities to see

100s

of new followers across LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, with some channels increasing by over 70%

“

The ‘Fast-Track Communications for Circular Economy Innovators’ project was a major high-profile initiative for CIWM, and the selection of the right creative communications partner to work with the innovators was absolutely crucial to its success. Throughout the project, Barley’s professionalism, approach, enthusiasm, insight, and communications were exemplary. The team proved themselves to be true partners in the initiative, really getting to know and understand the unique requirements of each innovator, and tailoring flexible support programs which delivered significant comms ‘wins’ for them. I would have no hesitation in recommending Barley to anybody looking for excellence in PR, engagement, and communication.

Richard Hudson MCIWM

Chartered Resource & Waste Manager, CIWM

Related case studies

Want to chat?
Feel free to contact our team.