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Council’s Community Grants Program opens today

Council’s Community Grants Program, which includes six grants and a scholarship, opens today.

Bemboka flower show.

The Bemboka Flower Show was grant-funded under ClubGRANTS

1 February 2023

Bega Valley Shire Council’s Community Grants Program, which includes six grants and a scholarship, opens today.

Council’s Director Business and Governance, Iliada Bolton said Council recently made changes to the timing of the grants process, to improve the overall grant management and allow community groups to plan their projects within a clear timeframe.

“The Community Grants Program includes the Community Environment Grants, Waste Wise Events Grants, Community Waste Minimisation Grants, Small Heritage Grants, ClubGRANTS, Young Women’s Grants and Further Education Scholarship,” Ms Bolton said.

“These grants and scholarship have been streamlined to open on 1 February and close on 31 March each year.”

Under the Community Environment Grants, up to $6,000 is available for projects that enhance, protect and restore the natural environmental assets of the shire. Organisations with an idea to protect, restore or enhance our wetlands, coastal foreshores, riverbanks, and wildlife corridors, or engage in innovative environmental education projects should apply.

The Waste Wise Events Grants offer up to $5,000 to community groups to run events that result in minimal waste going to landfill. There are many ways to reduce event waste, such as encouraging greater and correct use of yellow and green bins, making reusable and recyclable items available to food vendors, donating unsold food to local pantries, hiring bin attendants and increasing signage at bin stations and other prominent areas to help people to choose the right bin.

Under the Community Waste Minimisation Grants, up to $5,000 is available for projects that educate and encourage sustainable waste management behaviour across local communities and support Council’s vision of reducing consumption, re-using what we can and greater recycling to harness the benefits of local waste transformation.

Small Heritage Grants offer up to $5,000 for projects supporting heritage outcomes and one grant of up to $2,500 available for a senior (pensioner or self-funded retiree) over 65 years of age. For private owners and community managers of heritage properties, these grants provide funding support on a dollar-for-dollar basis to carry out works to support the ongoing conservation and restoration of heritage buildings and sites across the shire.

Under ClubGRANTS, eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to $10,000 for projects and services that contribute to the wellbeing of local communities. Clubs that earn over $1 million annually in gaming machine revenue provide funding for community projects and services, and in turn receive dollar-for-dollar gaming tax deductions. The funding is provided by six registered clubs across the shire: Bermagui Country Club, Club Bega, Club Sapphire Merimbula, Eden Fishermen’s Recreation Club, the Merimbula RSL and Tura Beach Country Club.

Ms Bolton said the Young Women’s Grants and the Further Education Scholarship have also been aligned to the new timeframe, however, there will be two rounds attached to both this year only.

“Ten Young Women’s Grants of up to $500 are available to young women aged between 18 and 25 years, to encourage them to achieve their personal goals. Applications can relate to a range of passion projects, such as arts and culture, the environment, business, community, health and sport,” Ms Bolton said.

“Applications for the first round close on 6 February and the successful applicants will be announced on International Women’s Day on 8 March.

“The second round of these grants are open until 31 March and the successful applicants will be announced shortly after.

“The first round of 10 Further Education Scholarships of up to $1,000 on offer for students aged between 17 and 26 years, to assist students living in the Bega Valley with their further education studies, will close on 20 February.

“The second round for the scholarships will close on 31 March and the successful applicants will be announced shortly after.

“We encourage community groups and organisations across the shire to read the Community Grants Program guidelines to make sure your project is eligible for one of these great grants,” Ms Bolton said.

“We also strongly recommend people attend our All About Grants information session on Thursday 9 February from 10am to 11.30am at the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, Bega.

“Our grants officers will explain Council’s new grants process and provide some helpful hints and tips on applying for our grants.”

If you would like to discuss your project with Council prior to applying, contact Jayde Rankin on (02) 6499 2330 or email grantsadmin@begavalley.nsw.gov.au

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