Request for Applications: Community Environment Grants Program (Australia)

$50,000 has been allocated from the Bega Valley Shire Council’s Environment Levy to enhance the local environment through the ‘Community Environment Grants Program’.

Since 2011, the Environment Grants Program has provided funding and support to not-for-profit community organisations and groups in protecting and enhancing their natural environment. The program aims at encouraging and assisting community involvement in the management of the Bega Valley Shire environment for the benefit of the whole region. Non-profit organisations and community groups play an increasingly significant role in environmental protection, enhancement and education and also benefit from this involvement.

Aims

• The Community Environmental Grant aims to:
  • Support community groups and organisations to enhance, protect and restore the natural environmental assets of the Shire.
  • Encourage and foster environmental ethic and behaviour change amongst the community.
  • Increase community awareness and understanding of environmental assets.
  • Support conservation strategies currently undertaken by Council.
  • Assist in the provision of innovative environmental management projects.

Funding Information

• The source of funding for the Community Environment Grants Program is the Bega Valley Shire Environment Levy and $50,000 has been allocated to the fund.
• A maximum funding limit of $6,000 has been established for each project.

Eligible Projects

• Habitat enhancement and extension
  • These projects cover natural areas of Council-owned or managed bushland including dunes. Projects may include environmental weed control, regeneration and revegetation, stock exclusion/controlled grazing fencing, tree planting, erosion control and environmental infrastructure (e.g. interpretive trail, signage). Select areas would need to be protected from various threats such as grazing, weeds and fire. Sustainability of the project after the completion date must also be demonstrated.
• Riparian restoration
  • Riparian areas (wetlands and creek buffers) form major habitat corridors for wildlife. They also protect water quality. Projects that enhance or expand these areas would be supported. Activities may include environmental weed removal, erosion control, tree planting, bank stabilisation, stock exclusion or water quality monitoring.
• Wetlands habitat enhancement
  • Wetlands on flood plains are of high strategic importance. Projects that increase wetlands habitat would be considered. Projects would need to demonstrate ongoing sustainability and be located strategically in the landscape.
• Waterway protection and enhancement
  • There are 27 estuaries within the Bega Valley Shire. These waterways provide important environmental, social and economic values. Projects enhancing waterway protection or aquatic habitat are encouraged.
• Species recovery activities for rare and threatened species
  • Many properties have habitat that may contain or support listed rare and threatened species. Projects that target these species with specific initiatives would be considered. Activities need to align with any current recovery plans and comply with state government legislation.
• Environmental awareness campaigns to the community
  • These projects would cover special initiatives to deliver an environment or conservation message to the community. Campaigns might focus on specific fauna or flora species, general conservation, special climate change initiatives or ecological sustainability.
• Conservation of environmental areas of cultural significance
  • Projects within this category may seek to restore or protect culturally significant resources in the region such as indigenous sites, historical and early settlements, man-made structures, trees or other natural features that have significant value to the local and or wider community. Projects would be restricted to the environmental aspects only.
• Other sustainability ideas
  • Contact them if you have other project ideas that may meet the goal of sustainable living such as cleaner energy.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for a Community Environment Grant, your group or organisation must:
  • Be not for profit
  • Be Bega Valley Shire based and deliver a project that benefits the area
  • Have an ABN and be incorporated (or be auspiced by an organisation that has an ABN and incorporation status).
• To be eligible for funding under Council’s Community Environment Grants Program, the community group or organisation and project must meet the following criteria.
• • Projects need to be located within the Bega Valley Shire and be for the benefit of the local community.
  • Only non-profit incorporated community groups or organisations are eligible for funding.
  • Projects involving on-ground works must be undertaken on Council owned or managed lands or on sites providing important environmental benefits to the wider community.
  • Project applications should include current public liability insurance (Certificate of Currency).
  • Project applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Project applications should be supported by letters of support.
  • Projects need to be completed by 30 June with a final report completed within 3 months of this date.
  • Projects need to be SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and able to be delivered in accordance with a time line.

For more information, visit Bega Valley Shire Council.