2022/2023 Community Sustainability Grants Program (Australia)

Deadline: 14-Dec-22

Applications are now open for the 2022/2023 Community Sustainability Grants Program.

The Community Sustainability Grants Program provides financial assistance to eligible not-for-profit community groups and organisations to implement renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste and climate change related projects. Projects that contribute to sustainable communities through biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and resilience, and water efficiency will also be considered.

Objectives

This grant stream supports the Environment (Theme 4) strategic objectives in the Indigo Shire Council Plan 2021-25:
- The climate emergency declaration reflects a strong commitment to protecting, maintaining and enhancing the natural and built environment and to promoting sustainable living. The communities are well prepared to adapt to and mitigate against the impacts of climate change.
- This grant stream also supports the core themes outlined within Council’s Environment Strategy and Climate Emergency Strategic Action Plan.
The intention of the funding is to support:
- Projects which reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community and work towards a net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions future through improved sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and supporting emerging emissions reduction technology.
- Capital projects that reduce the energy costs for community facilities and strenghthen their long term financial sustainablity and climate adaptation.
- Building capacity of community groups working towards sustainability outcomes aligned to Indigo Shire Council’s policies, plans and strategies.
- Events and engagement activities that increase awareness and education within the community and promote a transition towards a net zero GHG emissions future, including:
  - Raising community awareness of climate change, the impacts it will have on the environment and way of life, and the opportunities it will present.
  - Encouraging participation in sustainability activities and events that enable a transition towards a net zero GHG emissions future.
  - Enabling community members to acquire or develop new skills in relation to increased sustainability and emissions reduction.

Funding Information

Grant Pool: $20,000 (2022/2023 financial year)
Maximum Amount
- Up to $10,000 per applicant for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects (co-contribution mandatory)
- Up to $5,000 per applicant for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects, or project that address the key themes of the Council Plan (2021-25) (cocontribution encouraged but not mandatory)
- Up to $1,000 for applications for sustainability related events, capacity building and engagement activities.

Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the grant program, the Applicant must be an Eligible Organisation. To be eligible, the organisation must meet all of the following criteria:
- be located within Indigo Shire
- be a registered non-profit organisation or community group
- be an incorporated group, or auspiced by another incorporated group
- demonstrate support for the project from relevant Committees of Management, user groups and/or building owners.
If the applicant is applying for funding to support capital upgrades to facilities, buildings or assets, the applicants must additionally:
- be user groups of facilities, buildings or assets that have broad community use and benefit
- own or lease community facilities (including Council or DELWP facilities)
- pay the electricity or relevant utilities account