Deadline: 13-Jul-2026
The Upper Murrumbidgee Community Stewardship Grants Program supports community-led projects that help restore the health of the upper Murrumbidgee River. Grants of up to $80,000 are available for awareness, capacity building, restoration, monitoring, and collaborative stewardship activities within the Australian Capital Territory.
Overview
The program supports local communities to care for the upper Murrumbidgee River through practical restoration, education, engagement, monitoring, and long-term stewardship.
It is funded by the Australian Government as part of the Restoring the Upper Murrumbidgee River Program and forms part of the ACT Project Work Plan.
The program aims to protect the river’s ecological, social, cultural, and economic values while building a network of community river stewards.
Key Details
- Program: Upper Murrumbidgee Community Stewardship Grants Program
- Country: Australia
- Region: Australian Capital Territory
- Funding source: Australian Government
- Maximum grant: $80,000
- Focus: River restoration, stewardship, monitoring, education, and community capacity
- Eligible applicants: Not-for-profit organisations and groups
- Sponsorship option: Individuals and non-incorporated groups may apply through an incorporated sponsor
Focus Areas
The program supports community-led action to improve the upper Murrumbidgee River.
Key focus areas include:
- River stewardship
- Community engagement
- Active restoration
- Riparian restoration
- Habitat restoration
- Capacity building
- Education and awareness
- Community-led monitoring
- First Nations and regional community values
- Long-term conservation outcomes
- Ecological health of the river
Funding Streams
1. Community Awareness and Capacity Building
This stream provides grants of up to $20,000.
Eligible activities may include:
- Community engagement events
- Educational resources
- Capacity building initiatives
- Creative projects
- Activities that strengthen community connection with the river
2. Restoration, Maintenance and Monitoring
This stream provides grants of up to $40,000.
Eligible activities may include:
- Riparian restoration
- Habitat restoration
- Community-led monitoring programs
- Stewardship activities
- On-ground works that improve ecological and physical river health
3. Large Collaborative Projects
This stream provides grants of up to $80,000.
Projects must involve collaboration between multiple organisations.
Large collaborative projects should:
- Include elements from the first two funding streams
- Demonstrate partnerships
- Provide signed letters of support or Memorandums of Understanding
- Clearly outline partner roles, contributions, and commitments
Key Concepts Explained
What is River Stewardship?
River stewardship means long-term care and responsibility for the health of a river. It involves community participation, monitoring, restoration, education, and ongoing maintenance.
What is Riparian Restoration?
Riparian restoration focuses on improving land along riverbanks and waterways. This may include planting native vegetation, reducing erosion, improving habitat, and protecting water quality.
What is Community-Led Monitoring?
Community-led monitoring involves local people collecting information about river health, habitat condition, species, water quality, or restoration progress.
What is Capacity Building?
Capacity building helps local groups and individuals gain the skills, tools, knowledge, and resources needed to care for the river over time.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organisations or groups.
Applicants must:
- Undertake activities within the Australian Capital Territory
- Have an ABN
- Hold required insurance
- Obtain relevant land manager approvals
- Be willing to enter into a Deed of Grant with the ACT Government
Individuals and non-incorporated groups may apply through a sponsoring incorporated community organisation.
Eligible Expenses
Funding may support costs directly related to project delivery.
Eligible expenses may include:
- Project-related activities
- Personal protective equipment
- Tools
- Project administration directly linked to delivery
- Eligible salary components
- Volunteer catering
- Contractor fees where there is demonstrated need
Ineligible Expenses
Funding cannot support:
- Activities outside eligible areas
- Ongoing organisational costs
- Retrospective expenses
- Projects that do not align with program priorities
How to Apply
Step 1: Choose the Right Funding Stream
Select the stream that best matches your project:
- Community Awareness and Capacity Building
- Restoration, Maintenance and Monitoring
- Large Collaborative Projects
Step 2: Confirm Eligibility
Check that your organisation is not-for-profit, has an ABN, holds required insurance, and can carry out activities in the ACT.
Step 3: Secure Land Manager Approval
Obtain relevant approvals for activities taking place on land or river areas managed by another authority.
Step 4: Develop the Project Plan
Describe the project goals, activities, location, community benefit, river health outcomes, and long-term stewardship impact.
Step 5: Prepare the Budget
Match the budget to the selected funding stream and include only eligible expenses.
Step 6: Build Partnerships, if Required
For large collaborative projects, secure signed letters of support or Memorandums of Understanding from partner organisations.
Step 7: Submit the Application
Submit the completed application according to the program requirements.
Step 8: Enter Grant Agreement if Successful
Successful applicants must be willing to enter into a Deed of Grant with the ACT Government.
Why It Matters
The upper Murrumbidgee River has ecological, cultural, social, and economic significance.
The program matters because it:
- Supports community-led river restoration
- Improves habitat and ecological health
- Strengthens local stewardship
- Builds public awareness of river threats
- Supports First Nations and regional community values
- Develops local skills and monitoring capacity
- Encourages long-term conservation beyond project timelines
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying for activities outside the eligible area
- Choosing the wrong funding stream
- Submitting projects that do not support river health
- Forgetting land manager approvals
- Including ongoing organisational costs
- Claiming retrospective expenses
- Submitting an unclear budget
- Failing to show community participation
- Missing partnership evidence for large collaborative projects
- Applying as an individual without an incorporated sponsor
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Clearly explain how the project improves river health.
- Show community involvement and stewardship outcomes.
- Include practical restoration, education, or monitoring activities.
- Provide a realistic budget linked to project delivery.
- Obtain land manager approvals early.
- Demonstrate long-term value beyond the grant period.
- Include strong partner commitments for collaborative projects.
- Align the project with program priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Upper Murrumbidgee Community Stewardship Grants Program?
It is a grant program supporting community-led initiatives that restore the health of the upper Murrumbidgee River through stewardship, restoration, monitoring, education, and capacity building.
How much funding is available?
Funding is available through three streams: up to $20,000, up to $40,000, and up to $80,000, depending on the project type.
Who can apply?
Not-for-profit organisations or groups can apply. Individuals and non-incorporated groups may apply through a sponsoring incorporated community organisation.
Where must activities take place?
Activities must take place within the Australian Capital Territory.
What types of projects are supported?
Supported projects include community engagement, educational resources, riparian restoration, habitat restoration, monitoring programs, stewardship activities, and large collaborative projects.
Are partnerships required?
Partnerships are required for Large Collaborative Projects. These must be supported by signed letters of support or Memorandums of Understanding.
What costs are not eligible?
Ineligible costs include activities outside eligible areas, ongoing organisational costs, retrospective expenses, and projects that do not align with program priorities.
Conclusion
The Upper Murrumbidgee Community Stewardship Grants Program helps communities take practical action to restore and protect the upper Murrumbidgee River. Through grants of up to $80,000, the program supports stewardship, restoration, education, monitoring, and collaboration that strengthen long-term river health and community connection.
For more information, visit ACT Government.
