Environmental Sustainability Grants Program in Australia

Deadline: 24-Jul-23

The City of Greater Geelong is pleased to announce a call for applications for the Environmental Sustainability Grants to support the initiation, development and delivery of projects that enhance the natural environment and drive environmental sustainability actions across the Geelong region.

The City of Greater Geelong looks for projects that assist the City to improve the health of their local environment, reduce their environmental footprint and protect the lifestyle their community enjoys. The grants help to raise the profile of the Geelong municipality as a leader in addressing climate change and environmental challenges and opportunities.

The grants respond directly to the goals of the City’s Environment Strategy 2020-2030 to:

• Goal 1: Become a zero-emission, climate-ready city region
• Goal 2: Create greener community spaces
• Goal 3: Contribute to a circular economy by reducing waste
• Goal 4: Protect, enhance and restore their region’s biodiversity
• Goal 5: Achieve better integrated water management through planning and design.

The grants are available to support a wide range of community groups for a variety of projects.

Categories

• Capital Works
• Projects
• Equipment.

Funding Information

• There is a total grant pool of $90,000 available.
• Grants of up to $10,000 per application for project delivery or small environmental capital works and up to $2,000 for small equipment purchases.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants can apply for grants to support the initiation, development and delivery of projects that enhance their natural environment and drive environmental sustainability actions across the Geelong region.
• Your grant activity must take place within the City of Greater Geelong.
• The following is a list of ideas and examples that will be considered for funding. It is guide only and the list should not be considered exhaustive.
  • Capital works
    • In this category they are seeking proposals to support the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources, including energy, water and materials. Suggested ideas that are suitable for applications include:
      • solar installations
      • water tanks
      • high efficiency water irrigation.
  • Projects
    • In this category, they are seeking proposals that improve the health of their local environment, reduce their environmental footprint, and protect the lifestyle their community enjoys. Suggested ideas that are suitable for applications include:
      • Protect their Natural Environment
        • re-vegetation with indigenous (locally native) plants
        • purchase of re-vegetation materials and equipment
        • pest plant and/or animal control measures
        • creating healthy waterways
      • Environmental Sustainability
        • sustainable transport e.g., reducing fossil fuels associated with transport, bicycle skills training, end-of-trip facilities, carpooling initiatives
        • reducing waste e.g., reducing waste going to landfill, recycling systems, composting systems
        • greening urban spaces e.g., urban/rooftop gardens, sustainable food production, community gardens, local food events, connecting people to nature, reducing urban heat
      • Community Engagement
        • community events that engage on environmental or sustainability themes
        • development of educational or capacity building materials and resources
        • development of a strategic or business plan, or land management plans for a community group
        • initiatives that build capacity and promote best practice in the natural environment or environmental sustainability e.g., workshops, networking events, training and skill development
  • Equipment
    • Note: Equipment must remain the property of the applicant organisation and be located within the City of Greater Geelong.
    • In this category they provide support for small equipment purchases that help community groups deliver services and programs and directly contribute to positive environmental benefits or outcomes. Suggested ideas that are suitable for applications include:
      • tools for tree planting and weed removal
      • tree guards to reduce damage to newly planted trees.

What won’t be funded?

• Environmental Sustainability Grants
  • The following will not be funded by the Environmental Sustainability Grants:
    • removal of native vegetation or other environmental assets
    • re-vegetation with non-indigenous plants
    • works or equipment for landscaping without positive biodiversity benefits or outcomes
    • upgrading facilities where the sustainability outcomes or credentials are minimal or incidental
    • events or initiatives that do not have a clear focus on environment or sustainability outcomes
    • projects on designated private land will be excluded for consideration unless there is a broader environmental and community benefit, e.g., creating a biodiversity corridor across private lands
• City’s Community Grants
  • In general, the following items, activities or projects will not be funded by any of the City’s Community Grants.
    • projects or activities that occur outside the City of Greater Geelong municipality (where activities also have outcome/s that occur outside the municipality, only the portion taking place within Greater Geelong is eligible)
    • cost of Council services where fees are normally charged e.g., Council rates, waste removal, building or planning permits or approvals, parking etc.
    • existing staff and salary costs (funds to cover costs for additional staffing or contractors, that relate directly to the grant application, will be considered)
    • requests for retrospective purchases or projects, or where activities commence prior to notification of funding outcome
    • fundraising events where the main aim is to directly fundraise for a charity
    • prizes, gifts, awards or sponsorship costs, such as trophies, medals, money and vouchers
    • political, gaming or gambling activities
    • activities and expenditure that can be considered core business e.g., ongoing projects and activities, administration overheads such as utilities, insurances and fees
    • additional funding for previously successful applications
    • projects, activities or events that could potentially commit the City to funding on an ongoing basis
    • projects, activities or events that better meet the criteria of another City of Greater Geelong grant or program.

For more information, visit Environmental Sustainability Grants.