Common Ground Project and Winchelsea Primary School has secured Surf Coast Shire Council's $10,000 Climate Emergency Grant with their project 'School for Climate: Regeneration and Climate Action in Regional Communities.'
The Climate Emergency Grants program is a chance for the community to partner with Council to enable initiatives aimed at addressing climate change locally.
Two projects competed for the $10,000 grant, with the community casting 254 online votes to decide the winner.
The partnership between Common Ground Project and Winchelsea Primary School received 184 votes, while the collaboration between Geelong Sustainability Group and Common Ground Project, partnering with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, received 70 votes.
The winning project will enable all students at Winchelsea Primary School to learn about regenerative gardening at Common Ground Project. They will then apply their knowledge to create sustainable gardens at school and home.
Council also awarded two $5,000 grants to support innovative community-led climate initiatives:
- Clean Earth Essentials, auspiced by Common Ground Project, will run 'make your own sustainable detergents at home from recycled oil' workshops to teach the community how to create non-toxic household products.
- Danawa at Spring Creek Community Garden will implement the Danawa Solar Project, installing a solar power system to reduce emissions and support sustainable food growing practices.
"Congratulations to these successful projects that received a grant through the Climate Emergency Grant program," said Cr Tony Phelps.
"It's inspiring to see our community take action and lead the way on local initiatives."
The Climate Emergency Grants program allows the community to partner with Council on local climate action. The program supports Goal 5 of Council's Climate Emergency Response Plan to 'empower community-led responses to the climate emergency.'
"We know many in our community are passionate about taking action locally to address climate change," said Cr Phelps.
"Council is proud to support projects that bring this passion to life."
No eligible applications were received for the Library of Things Grant, so the $20,000 grant funding will be returned to Council's general funding budget.
