Circular Economy Organics Council Fund – Australia

Fund Objectives

Projects must meet one or more of the following objectives:

• build and diversify end markets for recycled organics by increasing the use of recycled kerbside organic products in council settings.
• create local closed loop solutions to increase circular procurement and circular consumption behaviours in council.
• increase knowledge and raise awareness of the benefits of using recycled kerbside organics to the community.

Funding Available

• Competitive grants from $30,000 up to $100,000 will be available to Local Governments and the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board to create new and/or expand existing end markets for recycled kerbside organic products by:
  • removing barriers to increase the procurement and use of recycled kerbside organics.
  • directly increasing the use of recycled kerbside organics in council settings.

Outcomes

• The Fund aims to achieve the following outcomes:
  • increase the use of recycled kerbside organic products in council and community settings
  • promote and distribute knowledge across councils around the application and benefits of using recycled kerbside organics
  • improve the health and resilience of soils in council parks, gardens, and public green spaces
  • improve circular consumption behaviours in the communities and the ongoing use of recycled kerbside organics in council settings.
• Projects must source products derived from Victorian kerbside FOGO collections and support end market use in council and community settings.

What will be funded?

• Projects must work to increase the uptake and use of recycled kerbside organics in council settings by:
  • removing barriers to increase the procurement and use of recycled kerbside organics
  • directly increasing the use of recycled kerbside organics in council settings.
• Examples of projects that could be funded under this program include:
  • improving infrastructure and/or equipment for product storage and distribution
  • trials using recycled kerbside organics in a council setting including trial design, soil testing and plant testing, establishment and monitoring
  • community engagement and education/behaviour change activities specifically relevant to using kerbside recycled organics.
  • promotion and distribution of results and outcomes from new trials and/or existing product applications to promote the benefits of closed loop organics projects.
• Projects must:
  • use composted products that are derived from recycled kerbside FOGO or garden organics (GO) that meet the Vic EPA Determination Specifications acceptable to the Authority for receiving processed organics.
  • be located in and service Victoria
  • meet regulatory and/or planning requirements
  • be completed by 30 June 2025.

Who can apply?

• Eligible applicants are the 79 Victorian Local Governments and the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board.
• The program requires a single applicant to apply. A Council or the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board can apply either as an individual application or as a Lead Applicant for a Collaborative Partnership application. The Applicant is fully accountable for project delivery.
• Applicants must:
  • have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • be able to demonstrate financial and in-kind viability to undertake the project (will meet or exceed the minimum co-contribution requirements)
  • demonstrate the commitment of an organics processing facility or supplier to provide the recycled kerbside organic product.
• Collaborative Partnerships
  • Applicants may also choose to form a Collaborative Partnership for the purpose of undertaking the project and maximising impact. Applicants are known as Lead Applicants in a Collaborative Partnership.
  • Collaborative Partnerships can only be established with other councils and/or the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board. The Lead Applicants will need to clarify the nature of their relationship with other councils and/or the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board and demonstrate their commitments to the project accordingly.

For more information, visit Sustainability Victoria.