Deadline: 7-Apr-25
The Western Australian Government is excited to announce its Community Stewardship Grant to support community-based projects that serve to protect and restore the local environment, enabling local community groups to undertake stewardship of natural resources in their local area.
The Community Stewardship Grants are an initiative of the Western Australian Government managed though the State NRM Program at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). The grants are designed to facilitate the conservation and sustainable management of the State’s natural resources by supporting local community groups to undertake stewardship of natural resources in their local area.
Community-based NRM is directed and driven by local, catchment, or regional scale needs and priorities. It recognises the value of local knowledge, volunteer efforts and strong partnerships. The Community Stewardship Grants prioritise the direct involvement of local community groups in all project stages of design, planning and implementation, through which efficient and effective partnerships between government, industry, and community can be fostered.
Priorities
- Sustainable management of land resources
- Maintain and enhance water assets
- Protect and enhance the marine and coastal environment
- Conserve and recover biodiversity
- Enhance skills, capacity, and engagement
- Deliver high quality planning that leads to effective action
Funding Information
- The Community Stewardship Grants program involves both a small grants round and a large grants round:
- Small grants
- Are valued between $1,000 – $50,000
- Commence on or after 1 January in the year following the grant round
- Are up to 18 months in duration.
- Large grants
- Are valued between $50,001 – $450,000
- Are intended for more strategic, complex projects
- Commence on or after 1 January in the year following the grant round
- Are for up to 3 years in duration.
- Small grants
Eligible Activities
- Some examples of eligible activities include:
- Capturing, sharing or implementing Traditional Knowledge of Country
- Data collection, analysis and sharing
- Fencing for protection of native species or vegetation
- Information sharing
- Infrastructure for direct NRM outcomes.
- Invasive species management (pest plants, feral animals, and plant diseases)
- Planning and engagement
- Remnant vegetation protection
- Research and trials which add to existing knowledge
- Resource condition assessment, surveys or monitoring
- Revegetation (native species only)
- Regenerative agriculture adoption and landholder support
- Threatened species conservation or protection
- Training and skills development
Expected Outcomes
- Agricultural landscapes will be maintained or improved by driving sustainable and/or regenerative agricultural practices, focusing on soil biology and landscape management, to produce healthier food, a healthier environment, and improved bottom line to enable enduring prosperity.
- Water assets will be maintained, improved, and protected through activities that support ecosystem health, water availability, biodiversity, and spiritual and cultural values for Aboriginal people. Water assets include estuaries, floodplains, wetlands, and groundwater systems.
- Marine and coastal environments, species, and habitats will be maintained, improved, and protected from biological and physical threats including the declining numbers of some species, introduction of pests and diseases, and the impacts of climate change and sea level rise.
- Western Australia’s rich, diverse, and unique biodiversity and its economic, cultural, scientific, educational, and recreational values will be maintained, improved, and protected from biological and physical threats and processes including the declining numbers of some species, introduction of pests and diseases, and the impacts of climate change.
- The capacity, knowledge, skills, engagement, and participation of stakeholders including volunteers, community groups, Aboriginal people, and the broader community will be maintained or improved. Values, beliefs, and behaviours of stakeholders will be respected.
- High quality and strategic planning that leads to coordinated and effective actions will be facilitated and delivered to conserve, prevent further deterioration of condition and provide opportunities for remediation of their natural resources.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible to apply, applicants must be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation with an ABN.
- Applicants from the following groups or organisations are encouraged to apply:
- Aboriginal community organisations including Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate (RNTBC)
- Incorporated associations and not-for-profit companies and trusts, including most community, landcare, and NRM groups, Recognised Biosecurity Groups and grower groups.
- Land Conservation District Committees
- Local government authorities (LGA)
- Primary and secondary schools.
Ineligibility Criteria
- The following groups are not eligible to apply:
- For profit organisations, businesses, partnerships or companies including sole traders and primary producers
- Individuals
- Organisations that do not have a branch or base of operation in Western Australia
- Tertiary education institutions such as universities (government and privately funded), monotechnics, polytechnics or colleges
- Unincorporated associations
- Western Australian or Australian Government agencies
For more information, visit DPIRD.