Applications for this year’s funding round have opened.
On 1 September 2022, Responsible Wood launched its 2022/23 Community Grants Program. This is the program’s third year, following the successful 2020/21 and 2021/22 programs. The aim of the program is to support local communities develop, design and implement small community-based projects in their local area in conjunction with their local Responsible Wood certified company.
Community Grants are awarded for collaborative, community-based projects, activities or events that connect communities to certified forests and forest growers.
The key benefits of this program are; supporting Australian communities to better access and enjoy their local sustainably managed and certified forests; and providing an opportunity to build community connection through planning, completing and benefiting from community projects. Funding available per project is between $2000 and $15,000. Applications will only be accepted from local community groups, not-for-profit organisations, registered charities or schools or education institutions. An independent judging panel will assess and judge all of the applications.
Experienced forester and engagement manager Megan Graham (pictured) will administer the community grant program. She said that she’s excited to see what ideas will be proposed in this round of funding. Over the past two years, she has been “really impressed” by the interesting and creative applications that communities from all over Australia have submitted.
Successful projects have included installing nesting boxes in NSW primary schools, restoring a 19th century shepherd’s hut in SA and creating a forestry career pathway program, working with the local education sector and employment agencies to train, up-skill and promote opportunities for employment in Gippsland.
This year, Graham is anticipating applications from a wide range of groups or clubs seeking assistance to help build forest tracks, build and install picnic facilities, forest-based art installations, habitat features for native animals which will help people better access and enjoy their local forests and or create a better local forest environment.
The scope for the community projects really is open and Graham encourages communities to think about their needs and get in touch with their local Responsible Wood certified forest owner to work on and develop a project idea and apply for the grant by 31 October. Applicants will be notified of their application status on 15 November and projects will be developed and completed between that date and 31 May 2023.
Further information including the 2022 Application Form, Eligibility Checklist and Judging Checklist please visit www.responsiblewood.org.au/what-we-do/our-collective-impact/community-grants-program/ or email communitygrants@responsiblewood.org.au
