Sky Media has announced the return of an expanded Sky Zero Footprint Fund for 2025.

Sky Media, the advertising arm of Sky, is offering £2 million in advertising support to amplify brands and organisations leading the way in sustainability.

This year, the fund is evolving to have an even greater impact, with a new structure designed to attract a wider range of brands and initiatives. The 2025 Sky Zero Footprint Fund will now feature three distinct categories:

- Catalysts (6 charities to live pitch with 2 x £200k prizes available): Supporting charities and not-for-profit organisations making a major difference but often facing challenges in demonstrating measurable impact or sales.

- Disruptors (9 businesses to live pitch with 3 x £200k prizes available): Celebrating and championing challenger brands scaling up with innovative ideas and products that have the potential to drive significant environmental change.

- Champions (3 brands to live pitch with 1 x 500k prize): Engaging larger, established brands to reinvigorate their role in driving national conversations and large-scale sustainability efforts, helping to move environmental action up the agenda.

- Grand Prix (1 brand to win an additional £500k prize): Prize winners are selected in June/July who then go away to make their ads. Grand Prix in October will see the most impactive ad awarded an additional £500k by the judges.

A panel of judges, including leaders from sustainability, advertising, and media, will oversee the selection process, ensuring that the most impactful initiatives receive support. Previous winners have demonstrated the power of the fund in driving real change.

In 2023, Grub Club was awarded the Grand Prix prize for its innovative approach to sustainable pet food, made from insect protein.

“Winning the Sky Zero Footprint Fund was a game-changer for Grub Club," co-founder, Alessandro Di Trapani said.

"The process was an incredible experience, from refining our brand message to filming our first-ever TV ad. The exposure has put Grub Club in front of millions of pet owners across the UK, driving awareness and credibility in a way that would have been impossible for an early-stage brand alone.

"More than just visibility, the Footprint Fund has been a key catalyst in unlocking national distribution, helping us secure major retail partnerships that will accelerate our mission to make pet food more sustainable.”

Entry guidelines will be available from www.skymedia.co.uk/skyzerofootprintfund, and further details on the judging panel and selection criteria will be announced soon. Submissions will open in early March.

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