Environment Group Support Grants
Council is proud to support the Environment Group Support Grant Program in recognition of the significant contributions our community environment groups make.
The program aims to support groups with capacity building, weed control and biolink enhancement to benefit the community and natural environment of the Macedon Ranges Shire.
There are three categories of funding that eligible groups can apply for. Groups can apply for one, two or all three funding streams.
Council and community partners, Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Limited (MRCE) and Bendigo Bank have collaborated to co-fund the Category 3, Biolink Boost Grant. The MRCE will match Council’s funding to the amount of $20,000, boosting the funding available for the Biolink Boost Grant to $40,000.
Categories include:
| |
Maximum funding
per project |
Council funding
available |
Matched funding
by MRCE |
Total available |
| Category 1 |
Landcare, Friends Groups and
Network Support Funding |
Up to $800 |
$20,000 |
|
$20,000 |
| Category 2 |
| Strategic Weed Partnership Program |
Up to $1,500 |
$10,000 |
|
$10,000 |
| Category 3 |
| Biolink Boost Grant |
Up to $5,000 |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
$40,000 |
The 2023/2024 round:
- Opens: Monday 31 July, 9am
- Closes: Sunday 27 August, 5pm.
To discuss your project ideas or for any questions, call the Environment Unit (03) 5422 0333 or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Guidelines and resources
Guidelines 2023/2024
Hard copies can be provided upon request.
Child Safe Standards
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is committed to a zero tolerance approach to child abuse, through actively promoting child safety and ensuring compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. All applicants must demonstrate compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and read/understand Council's Child Wellbeing and Safety Policy. Note: If your organisation is being auspiced for the purpose of this grant, the auspicing organisation will also need to meet the Child Safe Standards.
Smarty Grants
Environment Group Support Grants can be applied for using SmartyGrants.
SmartyGrants is an online grant management program to help grant recipients and Council record and track all the details around grant transactions. Through this program, you can apply for the grant, track it, and upload acquittal documents.
Assessment
Assessment of applications will be based on the scoring matrix of each category. The scoring matrix can be found within the funding categories and assessment criteria in the grant guidelines.
Eligibility
Who can apply?
Environmental groups eligible for funding include Landcare, Friends groups and networks.
- Landcare group: a not-for-profit organisation with a membership with Landcare Victoria, open to all members of the public that conducts activities or promotes sustainable management of private and/or public land.
- Environment Friends group: a group that works to protect and enhance the conservation values of a specific site or area through on-ground works and community education.
- Network: vomprises of three Landcare Networks and the Biolinks Alliance.
Other groups may be entitled to apply for this funding if they can demonstrate that their primary focus is nature conservation at the discretion of Council’s Environment Unit.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, applicants must meet the below criteria.
- Works must be undertaken within the Macedon Ranges Shire.
- Landcare Support Grants from previous grant funding must be acquitted.
- Groups must have their own current public liability and accident insurance.
- Groups must be incorporated. Groups that are not incorporated are welcome to apply if they are auspiced by another incorporated entity. Note: each incorporated group may submit a maximum of two applications.
- Receipts or other documents for other activities may be requested at the discretion of Council to verify submitted acquittals.
- A copy of the group’s most recent AGM minutes and treasurer’s report must also accompany the grant application.
- The application of herbicides must adhere to the relevant State Government legislation.
The following are ineligible to apply to the Environmental Group Support Grant:
- Individuals
- Political organisations
- For profit/commercial organisations
- Government agencies/organisations
- Groups that are in debt to Council
- Groups that have not completed the acquittal and reporting requirements of previous Council grants
- School/scouting/religious groups
- Groups auspiced by Council
How to apply
Before you begin your application, make sure you have reviewed the Environment Group Support Grant guidelines above.
All applications must be completed using the SmartyGrants platform. If you haven't used the platform before you will be prompted to register.
To begin, click the Apply now button below and and select 'Start a submission'.
Apply now
If you would like assistance to complete the online application, call the Environment Unit on (03) 5422 0333 or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Variations/Extensions or returning grant funds
We understand that sometimes things don't go as planned. Call us on (03) 5422 0333 or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au if:
- you are encountering unexpected challenges in your project delivery.
- you need to make a variation or seek an extension to the project as planned in your application. You will need to complete a variation/extension request form and this will need to be approved by Council before any changes are undertaken.