Climate Action Small Grant (Australia)

Deadline: 29-May-23

The City of Yarra is accepting applications for its Climate Action Small Grant Program to support initiatives that accelerate community-led climate action at a local level.

Climate Action Stream places a priority on funding projects that mobilise the community to take climate action, including advocating for change, support the most vulnerable in thier community to cope with climate impacts (e.g. extreme weather, energy and food insecurity). Build stronger social connections to increase resilience to future climate-related shocks and stresses, reduce waste and promote conscious consumption; and foster sustainable transport behaviours in the community.

Program Objectives

The Climate Action Stream will support initiatives that accelerate community-led climate action at a local level. This stream places a priority on funding projects that: 

• Mobilise the community to take climate action, including advocating for change and growing a network of people taking climate action;
• Support the most vulnerable in thier community to cope with climate impacts (e.g. extreme weather, energy and food insecurity);
• Build stronger social connections to increase resilience to future climate-related shocks and stresses;
• Present replicable models to reduce carbon emissions; support local food systems; care for local natural environments; actively avoid and reduce waste and promote conscious consumption; and foster sustainable transport behaviours in the community.

Grant Information

• Maximum grant is $2,000.

Eligible Projects

• All applicants must be locally based and/or be applying for a program, service or activity that is of benefit to the Yarra community;
• Projects must have a public outcome within the City of Yarra boundaries;
• Projects and programs will only be eligible for both SPG and Annual Grants if applications are for distinct activities or stages of development;
• All questions marked ‘response required’ must be completed for the application to be eligible. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must have an active ABN;
  • Not-for-profit community groups that meet all other eligibility criteria but do not have an ABN can have their applications auspiced by an eligible incorporated organisation or Neighbourhood House.
• Applicants must be a not-for-profit, incorporated community group (that is a group with a voluntary membership who come together to pursue a common goal)† OR meet one of the following specific exceptions;
  • Be a registered charity, public benevolent institution or have DGR status;
  • Be a state government entity seeking funding for activities beyond those considered the responsibility of State or Federal Government;
  • Unincorporated not-for-profit community groups can have their applications auspiced by an eligible incorporated organisation or Neighbourhood House;
  • Individual artists or Arts-related businesses operating under an active sole-trader ABN* can apply as individuals under the Arts and Cultural Projects Category;
  • Arts-related businesses with active ABNs* registered as other than sole-trader entities can apply under the Arts and Cultural Projects Category. These applications are contingent on successfully demonstrating that the project being funded will run on a not-for-profit basis. This will require detailed financial reporting.
• Applicants can only receive one SPG per financial year and the maximum grant is $2,000;
• Applicants must have acquitted previous Council grants and have no outstanding debts to Yarra City Council;
• Applicants must have public liability insurance with a suitable level of coverage, working with children checks, WorkCover and superannuation coverage are required to be held by recipients of funding;
• Relevant applicants must, as required by law, implement and adhere to the Victorian Child Safe Standards;
• The applicant names must match the entity (legal) name for the ABN, or a registered business name associated with the ABN and the name on the bank account provided for payment. The ABN Entity name can be checked when entering your ABN into the application form.

Applicants that are  Ineligible

• Businesses or for-profit organisations;
• Previous grant recipients with overdue acquittals;
• Applicants who have already received an SPG in the current round.

For more information, visit City of Yarra.