Our community is an integral part of the environment, and together we are its custodian.
The grants encourage community involvement to care for our environment as set out in our Council Plan and Budget.
Grants are available for local individuals and groups to deliver projects that benefit our environment and community. Successful projects must align with our priority theme: Our Sustainable Environment.
The strategies that support this priority theme aim to:
- protect and enhance our natural environment, providing connected habitat for diverse flora and fauna
- minimise stormwater pollution and the impacts of flooding and maximise our water conservation to transition to a water sensitive city
- demonstrate leadership in addressing climate change and take action to become a carbon neutral city by 2040
- empower and educate the community and businesses to take actions to achieve positive environmental and climate change outcomes
- avoid waste generation and encourage and support the community to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030
- engage and work with the community and partners to protect, enhance and experience the environment
- protect, increase and maintain our urban forest population to provide a greener city for enhanced liveability
- explore and support opportunities for urban farming and community gardens.
2023-24 grants
A total pool of $85,000 is available for projects that align with the strategies listed above.
You must read the full guidelines(PDF, 317KB) and speak with a Council officer before submitting your application.
Key dates
- Applications open 3 July 2023.
- Applications close 11 August 2023.
- Assessment and decisions made in September to October 2023.
- Projects must be acquitted by November 2024.
Eligibility
Group applicants must:
- have a project taking place in 2023/2024
- be a not-for-profit organisation, community group, business, educational or religious institution
- be an incorporated entity or be auspiced(Show info) and administered by an incorporated entity (schools exempt).
- be financial viability by providing a recent income and expenditure statement (schools exempt).
- deliver the funded activity or service within Banyule or show that the activity provides a direct benefit to our residents
- follow equal opportunity principles and work place health and safety practices
- have an ABN or be willing to complete a Statement by Supplier form
- have public liability insurance up to $10,000,000 the time the project starts
- have been established for a minimum of 12 months.
Individual applicants must:
- have a project taking place in 2023/2024
- be at least 18 years old
- work, live or provide significant evidence of engagement in our community
- be auspiced(Show info) (auspice fees up to 5% can be funded for individual applicants)
- have auspice organisation satisfy all group eligibility requirements
- have public liability insurance up to $10M when the project starts
You can speak to a grants officer if you would like to discuss insurance options.
Auspicing
The auspicing(Show info) entity must accept responsibility for the management of funds and acquittal requirements, as well as all insurance risks of the project.
Additional conditions
Planting projects must use indigenous plants of local province. A detailed species list can be provided by contacting the Environment Grants Officer or Bushland Management Team about plant selection. Demonstration of site considerations, preparation and ongoing maintenance should be included in the application.
Our approval (including necessary permits) must be gained for any projects being undertaken on Council-owned or managed land.
Applications for projects on private land may be considered, but must fulfil the existing assessment criteria and demonstrate benefit to the wider community, or positive impacts to public land.
To receive grant funds, successful applicants must enter into a funding agreement with Banyule Council and adhere to all conditions outlined in the agreement.
Assessment
Submissions will be assessed by the Banyule Environment and Climate Action Advisory Committee (BECAAC, a community advisory committee established to advise us on environmental issues) and 4 main criteria:
- Project idea: 50%
- Application: 20%
- Community benefit: 20%
- Using local resources: 10%
Read the guidelines for full details.
Acquittal
The due date of your acquittal will be included in your agreement, typically 12 months after any grant money is awarded.
All successfully funded projects will submit an online acquittal form that requires:
- providing receipts and invoices for all expenses
- marketing materials and how you did promotions
- detail about any in-kind contributions
- project outcomes.
You must get our consent to any project variations that will alter the original funding approval before you proceed (we reserve the right to cease funding).
All requests will be considered by the Director City Development on advice from Council officers, and you will be notified of our decision.
