Climate Emergency Grants

Expressions of interest are NOW OPEN

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About this grant

Are you passionate about taking climate action and have a project that needs funding? Council has $5000 and $10,000 grants available to support climate action projects in our community. Submit an Expression of Interest and eligible projects will be shared online and at our Pitch Fest. Community members will then vote for their favourite project. Top voted projects will receive funding.

The Climate Emergency Grants program funds projects that:

• reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mitigate);
• build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change (adapt); and/or
• engage our community in climate action (mobilise).

  We are now accepting Expressions of Interest for:

• $5,000 projects from eligible applicants
• $10,000 projects from partnership projects between two or more eligible applicants who contribute equally to the project.  

The Climate Emergency Grants has a total funding pool of $20,000. 

How will the grants work in 2024?

Now in its third year the Climate Emergency Grants will take on a slightly different format and process to previous years. These changes respond to feedback given over the last few years and help make the grant program more inclusive and accessible. The pitch your project element and community voting element will still be a key feature of the program.

Key milestones and dates are:

1. Expressions of Interest open Wednesday 10 April and close Sunday 12 May

   Applicants submit an Expression of Interest online between 10 April and 12 May. Council’s Climate Mobilisation Officer and Grants Officer are available to support prospective applicants to develop their project.

2. Eligibility Check

   Council officers assess the eligibility of the applicants and project. The eligibility criteria is outlined in the guidelines. Eligible and non-eligible applicants will be notified as soon as possible.

3. Online voting period opens Wednesday 22 May and closes Wednesday 29 May

   An overview of each project will feature online. Community members will be able to browse through projects and vote for their favourite project.

4. Pitch Fest Wednesday 5 June

   To coincide with World Environment Day applicants will be invited to give a 2-5 minute pitch/ overview of their project to the audience, although this is not a requirement if applicants do not feel comfortable to do so. This event will be open to the public and on completion of the pitches the community members present will vote for their favourite project.

5. Top-voted projects announced Wednesday 5 June

Votes from the online voting and in person Pitch Fest will be tallied during the event and the top voted projects will be announced.

Expressions of Interest

Expressions of Interest are open now until 5pm on Wednesday 12 May.

Before applying:

1. Read the guidelines and check your eligibility.
2. Contact our Climate Action Team or Grants Team on 5261 0600 or info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au to discuss your idea and ask any questions. Additional support is available to develop your project and be pitch ready if required

APPLY for a $5,000 Climate Emergency Grant

Apply for a $10,000 Climate Emergency Grant