Environmental Grants

Schools, child care centres, incorporated community groups and local micro businesses can apply with proposals that contribute to meeting targets in waste, water, energy and biodiversity

Before submitting your application, please read our Environmental Grants Guidelines.

If you’re planning on submitting a proposal for a garden on public land, please email publicgardening@waverley.nsw.gov.au

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Environmental grants are available to fund ‘on the ground’ projects, with real, measurable outcomes. Projects must have a desirable effect on the environment and meet one or more of the following priorities:

Waste

• Waste avoidance, reduction and recycling
• Demonstrate reuse or fostering the circular economy
• Encourage waste diversion, composting, worm farming
• Reduce illegal dumping
• Reduce littering

Water

• Reduce mains water consumption (eg. Water tanks, dual flush toilets, etc)
• Reduce water pollution in Waverley’s waterways (eg. litter reduction projects)

Greenhouse gas emissions

• Reduce car use and/or increase travel by the public transport, walking, cycling or the use of non-motorised vehicles
• Reduce electricity use (eg. lighting upgrades, solar panels etc)
• Reduce gas use

Plan and respond to the impacts of climate change

• Minimise climate risks to community wellbeing (eg natural cooling measures, such as canopy trees)
• Mitigate environmental risk from extreme weather events (eg rain gardens for drought resilience)

Biodiversity

• Contribute to the protection of native species and ecological communities (eg. bush regeneration, education)
• Enhance habitat connectivity and improve weed management (eg. native gardens)
• Increase awareness of Intertidal Protected Areas and Bronte to Coogee Aquatic Reserve.

Grants are made available in two rounds a year.  Groups meeting the program criteria can apply for one grant per round, up to the value of $5,000.  Grants over this amount may be made at Council’s discretion. Applicants are encouraged to contribute towards their proposed project through cash and or in-kind contributions.

As per the agreement signed with your application, you  must:

1. Use the funding in line with Council's grant conditions and for the purpose stated in my application within 12 months, or make an application for a variation and/ or extension
2. Accept Council’s guidelines and any special conditions that may be specified in the letter of offer
3. Appropriately acknowledge Council’s support in promotional material and other information relating to the project. A guideline on use of Council's logo will be provided
4. Keep us informed of progress on your project, and send an invitation to any associated opening or launch to smallgrants@waverley.nsw.gov.au
5. Complete a short evaluation report provided by Council within a month of completion of your project.

Your report must include:

• A financial statement with evidence of project expenditure
• A brief case study outlining project results, who was involved, achieved project measures (as specified in this application) and photos or videos that Council may use to promote awareness of community achievements under the Small Grants Program
• Completed permission to publish forms, as provided by Council for people featured in photos and videos.6.

6. Return any unspent funds exceeding $100 to Council

General enquiries

For general small grant enquiries, email smallgrants@waverley.nsw.gov.au

Environmental grant enquiries

For enquiries related to environmental grants specifically, contact Council's Sustainability Engagement Officer on 9083 8049 or email environment@waverley.nsw.gov.au