At its meeting on Tuesday 30 May, Council adopted a generous community investment funding budget of just over $4.1 million. Of this, $100,000 is set aside for our Climate Action Grants.
The Climate Action Grants fund innovative projects with positive environmental impact delivered by small businesses*, community groups, schools, charities, business associations and social enterprises.
The program offers grants of $1,000 – $5,000 for smaller projects and up to $10,000 for larger projects.
What type of projects are eligible?
Projects must align with one or more of the following priorities:
- Sustainable travel and transport
- Zero carbon energy
- Circular economy and zero waste
- Leadership
- Community adaptation and resilience
- Sustainable land use
- Increased climate advocacy.
In previous years, the Climate Action Grants have supported many local projects, including:
- Sorrento Golf Club's food waste dehydration system that reduces waste sent to landfill and decreases emissions by processing food waste into fertilizer for the grounds.
- Mornington Secondary College's wetland restoration project. This project increased biodiversity, improved water quality, sequestered carbon and empowered and educated students.
- Not-for-profit charity Saltbush's electrification of their premises. Installation of hot water heat pumps and other appliances will reduce carbon emissions.
- Southern Seagreens' establishment of a seaweed reproduction nursery (lab). The seaweed farm will increase carbon sequestration.
- Western Port Biosphere's program that teaches local students about the significance of living in a UNESCO world biosphere reserve. This program inspires our biologists of the future.
- Polperro's 'Cool Changes community education and empowerment program'. This program empowers our community to take climate action and encourages behaviour change.
Climate Action Grant information sessions
Do you have a project in mind? Please sign up for one of our online information sessions. These sessions will explain the types of projects Climate Action Grants can support, as well as what to include in your application.
- Thursday 13 July, 9.30 - 10.15am
- Tuesday 18 July, 6 - 6.45pm.
Grant writing help
To help our community feel confident when preparing their applications, we are hosting several grant writing workshops. These sessions are free and give applicants all the necessary information to help them through the application process. Book at:mornpen.vic.gov.au/grantsessions
The Climate Action Grants program will open 13 July and close 5pm 7 September 2023.
To learn more visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/climategrant
* Businesses with 20 or less FTE
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Steve Holland:
"Council is excited to be offering our community more than $4.1 million in grants and sponsorships aligned to the themes in our Council and Wellbeing Plan. Applications willopen 13 July and close 5pm 7 September 2023."
