Deadline: 4-Mar-22
The Water, Country and Community Program (WCCP) is supported by the Victorian Government’s commitment to better include Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians in water planning, management, decision making and access opportunities.
Through the WCCP, funding is available for projects, research, and resources to start and/or continue to better understand, document and progress Aboriginal access and management requirements to water, for self- determined purposes.
Objectives
The key objective of these grants is to support as many Traditional Owners and Victorian First Peoples as possible and will work towards delivering on the following objectives:
- Recognise Aboriginal values and objectives of water
- Include Aboriginal values and traditional ecological knowledge into water planning
- Support Aboriginal access to water for economic development
- Build capacity to increase Traditional Owner and Aboriginal Victoria’s participation in water management
Funding Information
Stage 2 of the Water, Country and Community Program has $1.8 million of funding available to lead projects, research or employ an Aboriginal Water officer (or equivalent) between June 2022 and June 2024. Applications can be submitted for grants of up to $200,000. Applications may include:
- A grant for organisations to employ an Aboriginal Water Officer (or their equivalent). The application should be supported by a position description outlining how the role will support meeting the Water, Country, and Community objectives and enable self-determination.
- A grant to lead projects or research aligning with the Water Country and Community objectives and support Aboriginal self-determined water-related priorities.
- A combination of the above.
What might be funded?
The following types of projects or resources may be funded
- Water-related cultural events and gatherings supporting capacity, strengthening and knowledge sharing;
- Activities that progress Aboriginal cultural values and uses, recommendations and/or economic purposes of waterways;
- Feasibility studies and/or business cases for water related services and enterprises;
- Water-related resources, such as Aboriginal Water Officer(s), Aboriginal Water Policy Officer(s) (or their equivalents), Aboriginal Water Liaison (e.g. who could engage with the water sector);
- Cultural flows research studies and methodologies relating to access needs and requirements to water;
- Water Advisory Group establishment and/or continuation;
- Developing and/or implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, plans and programs for Cultural and Environmental Watering or other related tools to monitor watering benefits;
- Progressing Country Plan or selfdetermination plan water objectives; or
- Developing Country Plan and/or selfdetermination plan water chapters.
Eligibility Criteria
- The WCCP Stage 2 grants provides funding to support Traditional Owners and Victorian First Peoples, who were not funded during WCCP Stage 1, to start or continue projects to better understand, document and progress Aboriginal access and management requirements to water, for self-determined purposes.
- The following organisations or individuals can apply for funding:
- Traditional Owners
- Victorian First Peoples
- Aboriginal-controlled Organisations
Additional requirements
In addition, to be eligible for funding applicants must:
- be located/based in Victoria;
- be a registered incorporated body, compliant cooperative or association (including business associations), or have a current Australian Business Number (ABN); and
- Have public liability insurance ($10 million minimum) and personal accident insurance cover to safeguard volunteers and participants involved in the funded activities.
For more information, visit https://www.water.vic.gov.au/grants/stage-2-water,-country,-and-community-program-grants-2022-2024