EcoLiving Grants Program
The EcoLiving Grants Program is Initiative 13.4 of the Environmental Sustainability Action Statement 2006, with an allocation of $3 million over four years from the Sustainability Fund.
The Program is designed to build the capacity of households and communities to respond to the impacts of climate change and sustainability issues. It provides funding to assist the development of EcoLiving Centres that will support households and communities to reduce everyday environmental impacts by:
- helping overcome barriers to change
- providing locally relevant information and learning programs
- working together with a range of community members, organisations and businesses to help deliver the changes needed
- demonstrating sustainable technologies and practices.
The program is a place-based initiative. EcoLiving Centres are intended to be geographically spread throughout Victoria. This is predicated on the principle that local centres will support communities to adapt to the specific, local, impacts of climate change, as well as educating householders about sustainable lifestyle choices.
Program objectives are to:
- facilitate greater understanding and take-up of sustainable practices by community members in their homes and everyday lives
- facilitate long-term behavioural change towards sustainable living in the community
- build the capacity of communities to adapt to climate change.
The EcoLiving Grants Program is funded and managed by the Sustainability Fund.
Round One Funding allocations
Round One funding for EcoLiving Centres was announced in January 2008. Seven projects were funded to a total of approximately $2 million. These projects illustrate climate-friendly technologies and are designed to encourage significant shifts to more sustainable behaviours in households and neighbourhoods.
The following projects received funding:
| Pepper Green Farm Eco Living Centre | Bendigo |
| Banksia Eco Warriors | Broadmeadows |
| CERES Eco House | East Brunswick |
| Greener Houses Growing Greener Neighbourhoods | North East Melbourne |
| Iramoo Eco Living Centre | St Albans |
| Violet Town Eco Living Demonstration Project | Violet Town |
| Tower Hill Demonstration Centre | Swan Hill |
EcoLiving Grants Program Round Two
There is approximately $1 million available for EcoLiving Round Two.
EcoLiving Grants Program Round Two applications closed at 2pm, Thursday 23 April 2009.
Next Steps
The Fund will convene a panel for the assessment of all Round Two applications. The Assessment Panel will seek input and advice from relevant government departments and agencies as required. The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) regional officers will also provide input and confirmation that all applications received were discussed with a regional DSE officer prior to submission.
| Step 1 | All applications assessed by the Assessment Panel |
| Step 2 | The Sustainability Fund will review the Assessment Panel's recommendations |
| Step 3 | The Minister for Environment and Climate Change and the Treasurer make final funding determination |
| Step 4 | Applicants advised in writing of outcome |
It is expected that successful projects will be announced in the period October-November 2009, although this timeline may change without notice.
For more information please contact the Sustainability Fund, Secretariat
Linda Duffy: email linda.duffy@sustainability.vic.gov.au tel (03) 8626 8872
EcoLiving Communications Guidelines
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EcoLiving Communications Guidelines (122KB)
Top | Last updated 02/07/2009
