Northern Beaches Council has established the Eco-Schools Grants program to encourage schools within our local government area to become more environmentally friendly by adopting initiatives to measurably reduce the schools carbon footprint and become a leader in sustainability and climate action. The program has a total pool of $10,000 and grants are on offer up to $2,000 maximum across five streams.

Eligibility

To be eligible you must be:

  • a primary or high school located within the Northern Beaches local government area. or
  • An incorporated P&C for schools who meet the above criteria.

Your proposal/application must:

  • commit at least two teachers who will be actively involved for the duration of the initiative to ensure longevity and enable capacity building throughout the school. 
  •  be endorsed by the Principal of the school evidenced by a letter of support.

You cannot receive funding for a project or program that is already commenced at your school.

Objective

The objective of the program is to produce a sustainable, demonstrable and measurable reduction in your schools carbon footprint and has 5 priority areas that are identified in Councils Environment and Climate Change Strategy 2040.

Priority areas

  • Bush regeneration
  • Carbon reduction
  • Waste reduction
  • Water reuse and reduction
  • Sustainability education

Project types

The types of projects Council is seeking to fund include but are not limited to:

  • ‘enquiry learning’ sustainability initiatives
  • Teacher professional development to implement measurable, sustainability initiatives.
  • Native bees, native bushland, bush tucker gardens, frog ponds, water tanks, energy saving devices, compost

Application Process

Applications must be submitted using the online form. If you have problems accessing a computer or need help with the online application please contact Hope Campbell on 8495 6644.

Eligible applicants may submit more than one application for consideration however they cannot receive funding for more than one application.

The opening date for 2024/25 Eco School's grant is Wednesday 31 January 2024. Closing date is midnight on Friday 12 April 2024.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria with criterion 1 receiving a double weighting:

  1. Environmental impact – the measurable difference your initiative will make to your school’s carbon footprint. Long term and Short term
  2. Capacity to deliver – experience and/or resourcing allocated to implement the initiative
  3. Longevity of the initiative – how long will your initiative continue after the funding has been expended
  4. Other benefits derived including social, progress/leadership, educational and economic

Assessment Process

Applications will be reviewed for applicant and initiative eligibility before being assessed by a panel against the assessment criteria.  The panel will comprise 3 specialist staff members and an independent reviewer to oversee the assessment and recommendation process. The panel will prepare a recommendation for funding to Council. Council may resolve to accept, amend or decline the assessment panel’s recommendations.

All applicants will be notified in writing the outcome of their application. It is anticipated that the assessment process will be undertaken in April 2024 and the recommended recipients will go to the May 2024 Council meeting for adoption. 

Successful applicants will be invited to enter into a funding agreement with Council outlining the requirements of the grant.  This funding agreement must be signed prior to the project/initiative commencing.

Reporting Requirements

The funding period for this has been allocated within the 2024/25 financial year and as such Council is required to report on expenditure at the end of this period however it is noted that school programming runs to a calendar year and the program timeline has been developed accordingly. Therefore, grant recipients will be required to provide a brief progress report at the end of August 2024 and a final report that outlines the long term environmental benefits and an acquittal statement in May 2025.

Further Information

For more information, or a link to the Smarty Grants' online application, or to discuss your proposal please contact Hope Campbell on 8495 6644 or Hope.campbell@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.

Contact information

Hope Campbell