Currently open December 2011 – Early 2012
1. Caring for our Country: Open Call Funding
The current business plan sets out the targets for investment in 2012-13 to ensure we stay on track to achieving the government’s five-year Caring for our Country outcomes.
Applications are invited through the open call investment process for projects over $20000
(GST exclusive). The open call investment process is the principal way in which funding
for projects can be sought under this business plan. It provides the opportunity for diverse groups and organisations to obtain funding. For example, applicants can submit open call applications to address targets related to Ramsar wetlands, the NRS, coastal community engagement and sustainable farm practices. Applicants should plan their projects to meet these Caring for our Country targets.
The Government encourages groups and organisations to leverage matching funding from
business and industry sectors for projects which directly contribute to Caring for our Country
targets and outcomes.
There is an increased focus in business and industry on issues such as climate change adaptation, supply chain and corporate social responsibility. This is an opportunity for them to achieve natural resource management outcomes—partnered and working with regional natural resource management organisations, local and state government agencies, non-government organisations, local community groups, research institutions and Indigenous organisations. There is no absolute requirement to develop new partnerships for applications under this business plan, unless the partnership is critical to the delivery of the project.
Applications close 9 February 2012.
For information visit: http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/opencall/index.html
2. The Biodiversity Fund
The Biodiversity Fund will invest around $946m over the next six years to help land managers store carbon, enhance biodiversity and build greater environmental resilience across the Australian landscape.
To do this, it will fund eligible land managers for activities which restore, manage and better protect biodiversity on public and private land. It will also provide support to land managers who wish to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the new carbon market.
The Biodiversity Fund will provide support to establishing new carbon stores or better managing carbon stores of existing native habitat.
The Biodiversity Fund will invest in three main areas:
Biodiverse plantings – Funding will help land managers expand native habitat on their property through planting mixed vegetation species appropriate to the region. This will help build landscape resilience and connectivity.
Protecting and enhancing existing native vegetation – Funding will support land managers to protect, manage and enhance existing native vegetation in high conservation areas on their land for its carbon storage and biodiversity benefits.
Managing threats to biodiversity – Funding will control the threat of invasive pests and weeds in a connected landscape.
The Biodiversity Fund will support projects that, for example:
* establish new biodiverse plantings of mixed species that establish and re-connect well
functioning native ecosystems
* revegetate the landscape to improve connections between remnant native vegetation across public and private lands, particularly in the fragmented rural, coast and peri-urban landscapes of south eastern and south western Australia and Tasmania
* restore native habitats in largely intact landscapes in northern Australia and/or on the
rangelands, as well as those in peri-urban and coastal catchments in any part of Australia
* enhance the condition of native vegetation adjacent to existing key assets such as World
Heritage Areas, Ramsar sites or protected areas in the National Reserve System
* establish and restore native wetland and waterway habitats, particularly on already cleared lands or lands predominately occupied by non-native vegetation
* reduce the impacts of invasive species across connected landscapes.
Applicants are able to register for Biodiversity Fund updates, including information relating to
applications, at www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture. Stakeholders without internet access, or with special needs, should call the Biodiversity Fund hotline: 1800 008 678 (toll free excluding mobile and public phones).
Projects may be funded for a period of up to six years. Applicants will be required to report against milestones during the life of their project, with a major project review after three years (where applicable).
The Biodiversity Fund complements other government programs, such as Caring for our Country, that contribute to building landscape connectivity and resilience. Current funding for biodiversity conservation, provided through the Caring for our Country initiative, is focused primarily on the restoration and protection of nationally significant threatened species and ecological communities, as well as the control of Weeds of National Significance. The Biodiversity Fund has a broader, landscape-scale, focus and will provide funding for projects that are designed to simultaneously improve carbon storage and enhance biodiversity on the land.
The applications close on 31 January 2012.
More information by phone1800 008 678 or email biodiversityfund@environment.gov.au
or visit http://www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture/biodiversity-fund/index.html
3. The Action on the Ground Program
These grants are designed to assist the on-farm trial and demonstration of practices and
technologies by supporting landholders, research, industry, non-government, government and farmer ‘care’ ‘grower’ groups/organisations to trial and demonstrate management practices and technologies that can reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and/or increase carbon stored in soil.
Applications may be for projects to be carried out over a period of up to three years provided
project activities are completed by 30 June 2015.
Program funds are available across four financial years (2011–12 to 2014–15), with the first
payment initiated by the signing of the Funding Deed before mid June 2012. Program funding of between $55 000 and up to $385 000 (inclusive of GST) may be allowed in the
first two financial years of a project (2011-12 and 2012-13) with a maximum of up to $110 000 (GST inc.) in subsequent financial years (2013-14 and 2014-15). The maximum amount of funds that may be applied for in a single application is up to $605 000 (GST inc.) over the four financial years to 30 June 2015.
The applications close on 8 February 2012.
More information by phone 1800 025 005 or email aotg@daff.gov.au or visit
http://www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture/action-on-the-ground
4. Environmental Restoration & Rehabilitation
Community Bush Regeneration Large Project Stream Grants
The NSW Environmental Trust is calling for applications to its Community Bush
Regeneration Large Project Stream. The total commitment will be $8 million over 6 years.
Applications for this funding Stream will open in 2011 and will continue annually while funds are available, however it is expected that all funds are likely to be allocated to projects within the first three years.
The aim of the Community Bush Regeneration Large Project Stream is to facilitate projects run by local community groups (such as Landcare and Bushcare) to undertake large, long term bush regeneration projects. Projects should be designed to last for six years and may be undertaken on public or private land, or a combination of both.
Grants of between $200,000 and $250,000 are available for six year projects. A maximum of 70% of a grant will be available for disbursement over the first three years of a project. The balance will be available over the second three years, subject to the demonstration of effectiveness at the end of the first three years.
Applications close 5pm Tuesday 31 January 2012.
More information at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/envtrust.htm
Opening early 2012….
Community Action Grants
The 2012-13 round of these small grants component of the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative is due to open in early 2012. Investment proposals will be sought from environmental, Indigenous, Landcare, Coastcare and sustainable agriculture community groups for grants of between $5,000 and $20,000.
For further information about Community Action Grants visit
http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/cag/index.html or call 1800 552 008 or email
communityactiongrants@nrm.gov.au
General Landcare funding information
The three levels of government in Australia offer financial support for improved environmental management of public and private land. All these schemes have their own guidelines, timelines and application forms.
If you are thinking about applying for project funding we recommend you look at the attached Powerpoint presentation which explains the planning and processes for writing funding applications. We are happy to help landholders develop projects and funding applications. GET THAT GRANT
Bellinger Landcare Inc offers help with project development and application writing. For an application to have a good chance of success ,the project needs to be planned well. This takes time and we encourage all interested landholders to plan their projects well in advance of any funding deadlines and to research the funding agencies guidelines and criteria first.
This page is updated regularly to reflect funding opportunities as they come up.
Australian Government Funding
Riverbank erosion, Bielsdown River
The Australian Government funds Landcare projects through the Caring for our Country and Clean Energy Futures program. Investment in Caring for our Country projects is guided by a Business Plan and projects need to be targetted towards the Australian Government priorities identified in the plan. We would advise contacting the Landcare office for further information if you have a project idea or look at the Business Plan on the Caring for our Country website (link in Useful Links Box).
New in 2011 is funding throgh a number of Clean Energy Future Land Sector package programs. These include Action on the Ground and the Biodiveristy Fund (sse above for details)
State Government Funding
The key NSW State environmental funding body for Landcare and other natural resource management projects is the Environmental Trust. The Trust’s main programs are Restoration and Rehabilitation, Eco Schools, Environmental Education and the Protecting our Places Aboriginal natural resource management program. The programs are open annually, usually in May and successful projects are announced in December. See the link in the Useful Links Box for further details.
Please note that the Trust is changing the cycle of funding for the Restoration and Rehabilitation Program which will allow projects to run by financial year i.e. commencing on 1 July each year and continuing for up to a maximum of three years. This change will defer the call for applications to this program until mid 2011 (exact dates to be confirmed). It is anticipated that organisations will be advised of the outcome of their applications around April each year. This should assist all organisations, but particularly state and local government organisations to better commit and manage their budgets as first payments will be received early in the financial year, on the signing of a grant agreement as is the current requirement.
Regional Funding
The Northern Rivers CMA is also an important source pf project funding for Landcare works. Projects are posted on the NRCMA website (link in Useful Links Box) and are contracted to organisations (such as Bellinger Landcare) as well as individuals threough the annual Incentives Program. Funding for local projects are ususally advertised and delivered locally by the contracting organsiations. Contact the Landcare Office for current projects running in the Bellinger/Dorrigo areas. The NRCMA also publishes a useful monthly listing of funding opportunities on their website in the e-news bulletin.
Local Government Funding
Bellingen Shire Council has an annual round of community projects funded under the Environmental Levy. See the application form in the Useful Links Box or contact Council for for information on availablity.
Landcare Australia Ltd
LAL offers a number of small scale grant opportunites through arrangements with its business partners. Check out their website at Landcare Australia Ltd.
Bellingen Landcare Inc, 1a Oak Street, Bellingen NSW 2454