2020 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants now open

Eligible early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Victoria are now able to apply to secure a 2020 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grant.

For the third consecutive year, the Victorian Department of Environment, Land Water & Planning (DELWP) in partnership with Landcare Australia is giving ECEC services the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $5,000, with the Victorian Government providing funding up to $450,000 towards the grants.

Projects with an aim of engaging young Victorians in outdoor hands on projects and environmental learning activities promoting educational and environmental outcomes will be considered, particularly if they demonstrate additional health and social benefits. 

Initiatives can either be ‘on ground’ direct action projects, or projects with an educational component (indirect action) or can be a mixture of both, and should have a focus on:

•         Improving biodiversity through the development, improvement or restoration of habitat for Victoria’s native plants (flora) and animals (fauna); and/or,
•         Educating, involving and engaging young people in valuing and actively caring for Victoria’s natural environment.

How To Apply:

1. Check the Guidelines and Criteria to see if your project idea fits.

2. Start talking to your colleagues and get a project team together. Your project team may consist of teachers, parents, students and collaborators such as your local Landcare group, ‘Friends of’ group or local indigenous nursery.

3. Work with your project team to clearly develop your project idea, including the educational and environmental outcomes you expect to achieve. Click here for incursion/excursion ideas in your area.

4. Make sure your project gets children involved.

5. Develop a detailed and realistic budget. Click here for an example budget.

6. Include photos (minimum 1MB), maps, drawings or anything else that’ll help bring your application to life.