Climate Emergency Grants
The 2026 grants program is now closed.
- The Climate Emergency Grants support community-led climate action.
- Applications are assessed against the Climate Emergency Grant guidelines(PDF, 229KB) .
About this grant:
We value the knowledge, skills and motivation people have to take action on ideas that contribute to a thriving Surf Coast Shire community and environment.
We are looking to fund local initiatives that enact our Climate Emergency Corporate Response Plan 2021-2031 – Goal 5 ‘Our organisation empowers community- led responses to the climate emergency’.
Climate Emergency Grants fund projects that:
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mitigate);
- help our community adapt to the impacts of climate change (adapt); and/or
- engage our community in climate action (mobilise).
Projects must be inclusive of people with disability, as per the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 - Guidelines and Checklist for Inclusive Events.
Previous recipients
2026 Successful projects
$10,000 grant
Geelong Sustainability and Surf Coast Environment Group for hosting of a Community Climate Risk Forum, bringing together residents, businesses, emergency services and community groups to explore impacts of climate change, connect people with practical resources and strengthen adaptive responses.
$5,000 grants
Aleisja Henry, auspiced by the Surfrider Foundation for hosting of a Surf Coast BioBlitz, a one-day community-led citizen science event, engaging residents, volunteers, scientists and Traditional Owners to survey climate-vulnerable grassland ecosystems. The project will help build climate awareness and resilience by improving local knowledge of ecosystem health and climate impacts, strengthening community connections and providing data to inform future restoration work.
Common Ground Project for a Schools for Climate: Regeneration and Climate Action project, enabling up to 250 students from Surf Coast Shire schools to attend 10 climate and regenerative education programs facilitated by Common Ground Project, Freshwater Creek. The programs will help enable students and staff to mobilise, be resilient and act in the face of climate emergency, with reduced climate footprints via climate-safe food choices.
2025 Successful projects
$10,000 grant
Common Ground Project and Winchelsea Primary School. 'School for Climate: Regeneration and Climate Action in Regional Communities.' This 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.
$5,000 grants
Clean Earth Essentials, auspiced by Common Ground Project. To 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. Installation of a solar power system at the Spring Creek Community Garden, to reduce emissions and support sustainable food growing practices.
2024 Successful Projects:
Common Ground Project and Lorne P-12 College for 'School for Climate: Regeneration and Climate Action in the Garden and Farm'. This project will see the entire college student community attend and engage with a School for Climate regeneration program at Common Ground Project, providing a tangible example of regeneration and sustainable farming and food systems in the face of climate crisis
The Brainery and Geelong Regional Library Corporation Arckit Sustainability Studio. The Arckit Sustainability Studio is a dynamic hand-on educational experience. In groups of up to 30, participants learn essential for promoting sustainable living and addressing climate change within an architectural framework. Participants will have exciting opportunities to construct models of environmentally safe buildings, parks and communities.