Climate Emergency Grants

Climate Emergency Grants - Pitch your project

Currently closed

Expressions of interest will open during April/May 2025, and the community voting is scheduled around World Environment Day (5 June).

Expressions of interest will be accepted for:

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

About this grant:

Surf Coast Shire Council values 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’.

The 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

Before applying:

  1. Read these guidelines(PDF, 232KB)  and check your eligibility.
  2. Call our Grants Team on 5261 0600 to discuss your idea and ask any questions.

You may also refer to the Council Plan 2021-2025 for further information.

2024 Successful Projects:

  1. 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
  2. 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.