Key information
Grant amount: Up to $60,000
Application opened: 21 September 2026
Application closes: 9 November 2026, 11:59 pm
Program objective
The Environmental Education program funds projects that build people’s skills and capacity to adopt sustainable behaviours, and contribute to protecting and improving the environment
Projects:
- work with their target audience to co-design and pilot engagement strategies
- create effective strategic partnerships that strengthen project outcomes
- measure and demonstrate the impact of their project activities
This program is administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
This program is funded by NSW Environmental Trust.
Eligibility
Tier 1
Tier 1 provides grants of up to $60,000 for 2-3 year projects. This stream is best suited to local projects that address small scale issues.
Tier 1 projects are expected to:
- achieve environmental outcomes aligned with one of the themes of the Trust’s strategic plan
- engage with the target audience, invite their feedback, and adapt delivery of the project based on the lessons learned
- move beyond ‘delivering workshops’ and ‘raising knowledge and awareness,’ and instead deliver more engaging, hands-on activities that drive action, behaviour change, and achieve measurable environmental outcomes
- allow for innovative ideas
- measure and report on target audience participation, and what they do differently because of the project
- provide evidence of the differences the project has made in the environment
Projects must commence between 1 August 2027 and 30 September 2027
Tier 1 projects must end no later than 31 January 2030
Who can apply
Each proposal requires a lead applicant organisation. Lead applicants must be based in New South Wales or be able to demonstrate environmental benefits for New South Wales.
If successful in securing a grant, the lead applicant will be responsible for project delivery, administration and finance requirements, and overseeing the performance of collaborators.
The following not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply for funding:
- incorporated associations, community organisations, and non-profit organisations
- non-commercial cooperatives
- state government agencies and statutory committees
- councils
- universities
- regional organisations of councils
- NSW local Aboriginal land councils
- Registered NSW Aboriginal Corporations
- other local government-controlled organisations
- companies limited by guarantee
Who can’t apply
The Trust will not fund:
- individuals
- industry joint ventures
- for-profit businesses or organisations
- profit-distributing entities.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Applications to the 2026-27 round are required to address at least one of the following funding priorities of the NSW Environmental Trust Strategic Plan 2024 to 2029 which focuses on the most critical environmental issues across the state. The plan is informed by extensive research and stakeholder consultation.
The strategic priorities are:
- Prioritise healthy Country and recognise and value Aboriginal peoples, their traditional knowledge and practices, and connection to Country
- Restore ecosystems and biodiversity
- Strengthen environmental management.
What can’t you apply for
Refer to The Environmental Education grants program via button below.
Support and contact
Phone: 02 8837 6093
Email: info@environmentaltrust.nsw.gov.au