Green training fund

This grant builds the capacity of our environment volunteers, teachers, and First Nations to lead direct action within the community via training, conferences and short courses.

You must read the full guidelines(PDF, 180KB) and speak with a Council officer before submitting your application.

Key dates

  • Applications open on 5 February 2024
  • Applications close on 2 June 2024 (unless pool is exhausted earlier)
  • Grants must be acquitted by December 2024

Eligibility

Who can apply

Be sure to speak with one of our grants officers regarding your proposal before submitting an application. 

Applicants must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • work, live or provide significant evidence of engagement in Banyule
  • demonstrate their interest and involvement in environmental issues and how the training will benefit their community
  • be connected to local community environment groups, not-for-profits implementing environmental projects/initiatives or education institutions
  • meet any eligibility requirements for the course or conference they are seeking to attend
  • have acquitted previous Council grants and have no outstanding debts to us.

What we will not fund

  • Tertiary degrees and TAFE courses (funding support for these courses are made available by other levels of government).
  • Travel or accommodation costs.
  • Books and materials such as computer equipment or course materials.

Application

Applications must be submitted through SmartyGrants. Register and start a new application: you can save and return to your application at any time.

  • Once submitted, applicants can request to have their application reopened to update or submit further information if the request is made prior to the grant round closing date. Once the grant round closes, no further changes are possible.
  • Ensure all required documentation is attached before submitting your application.
  • When you submit your application, you will receive an application number. Make a note of it for future reference. 
  • Applicants will receive an email from Smarty Grants when the application has been successfully submitted.

Apply for Green Training Fund

Assessment

Approval of applications are made against these criteria.

  • What is the training program?
  • Which strategy to strengthen our sustainable environment – as outlined in the Council Plan 2021-2024 – does the program align to? (refer to first page of guidelines)
  • What is your interest and involvement in environmental issues?
  • How will the training support your community group to achieve better environmental and community outcomes?

Approval

Successful grant applicants will be required to carry out a number of online actions within specified timelines.

Applications will be assessed through the following steps:

  • Eligibility assessment
  • Environment Coordinator review and assessment

Once your application is deemed eligible, the Officer will review your application and provide recommendations of funding to the Environment Coordinator.

The Environment Coordinator will then assess it against the key criteria outlined above and decide whether to approve or not approve funding. All parties involved in the assessment process must declare any conflict of interest prior to the involvement in the assessment of grants.

Submit an acquittal form

At the completion of the agreed proposal, a completed acquittal form must be submitted.

  • The acquittal is to be submitted online and must detail how the grant funds were spent.
  • To successfully acquit your grant, you will be required to submit receipts or an invoice showing a zero balance owing, accounting for your expenditure.
  • Receipts must list items purchased, detailing the cost per item, and the total cost. All receipts should reflect the expense approved and match with the grant budget or letter of offer.
  • Unpaid invoices, copies of online orders and bank transfer statements cannot be accepted as proof of purchase.
  • Failure to acquit the grant satisfactorily will be considered a breach, and may result in requests for grant funding to be returned to us and exclude the group from future grant rounds.

Accessibility

The grants process is open and accessible to everyone, including if:

  • you need a printed copy of the guidelines or a printed copy in large print;
  • you need to discuss these guidelines by phone;
  • you need the guidelines in a captioned video format;
  • you need to discuss the guidelines with us using the services of an Auslan interpreter;
  • your hearing or speech is impaired, you can call us through the National Relay Service on 133 677 (TTY) or 1300 555 727 on an ordinary handset and ask for 9490 4222;
  • you need a language interpreter please contact TIS National on 131 450 and ask to be connected to us on 9490 4222; or
  • you need a printed form and support to enter information into SmartyGrants please contact us for assistance.

If you face any barriers to applying and would like to discuss these or any other ways we can help you, please contact us.

Contact us

Contact Gemma Watson on 9457 9831 or at environmentgrants@banyule.vic.gov.au