Approved grants 2011-12

Business plan

The Australian Government has approved:

• $60.4 million (GST inclusive) for 202 competitive open call projects to improve, protect and better manage our natural and productive landscapes, including 64 Landcare projects.
• $66.4 million (GST exclusive) in base level funding for 22 regional natural resource management (NRM) organisations to protect the Australian landscape and help ensure our farmlands remain productive into the future.

An additional $38 million (GST exclusive) has been provided to support Reef Rescue projects.

Caring for our Country is the Government's flagship initiative in natural resource management. Over the first five years from 2008-2013 it will provide more than $2 billion in funding.

Caring for our Country investment helps regional organisations, industry associations, community groups including Indigenous groups and landholders to protect and conserve Australia's natural resources including our farming lands, coasts, rivers and wetlands, plants and wildlife.

The Australian Government received 584 applications for the open call component of the Caring for our Country business plan 2011-12.

The initiative coordinates projects across the country to achieve national targets which are backed by an annual business plan to focus investment and deliver maximum results.

Project listings

• Business plan projects funded through the open call process (PDF - 179 KB) |  (Word - 269 KB)
• Business plan base level funding for regional NRM organisations (PDF - 557 KB) |  (Word - 94 KB)
• Business plan Landcare projects funded through the open call process (64 projects) (PDF - 115 KB) |  (Word - 45 KB)

Advice to applicants

All proposals were subject to a rigorous selection process which involved assessment by panels including community members. The applications were assessed and ranked in terms of how they addressed the Caring for our Country targets and the criteria set out in the 2011-12 business plan.

All stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the 2011-12 business plan and assessment process.

Applicants will be sent a letter advising them of the outcome of their application for funding along with contact details should they wish to receive comments on their individual proposal.

• Providing feedback about the assessment process

Media

• Caring for our Country to support 43 projects across Australia  - media release, 8 February 2012
• Caring for our Country funding to protect Australia's natural environment  - media release, 30 November 2011
• $31.3m funding boost for Landcare and sustainable agriculture  - media release, 8 September 2011
• Gillard Government invests in sustainable agriculture  - media release, 2 August 2011
• $38 million for Great Barrier Reef water quality improvements  - media release 11 July 2011

Community Action Grants

The Australian Government is providing $7 million in Community Action Grant funding to help community groups take action to sustainably manage and protect our environment and natural resources.

Community Action Grants support local community groups working across the country in all geographic areas on private and public lands to enhance our environment.

2011-12 successful projects summary and geographic distribution map

Project summaries

• Summary of 2011-12 successful projects (PDF - 641 KB) |  (Excel - 168 KB)

Project distribution

• Geographic distribution map of approved 2011-12 Community Action Grants projects (PDF - 1.2 MB)

Media release

• $7 million investment in community groups who are caring for our country  - 16 November 2011

Advice to applicants

All proposals were subjected to a rigorous selection process which involved assessment by community panels. The eligibility of all applications were assessed against criteria outlined in the applicant guidelines, designed to ensure that local environmental and sustainable practices community groups receive funding for a broad range of activities that will contribute to Caring for our Country national priorities. The merit of all eligible applications were assessed and ranked against:

1. alignment of the project with Caring for our Country outcomes
2. feasibility of the project
3. the organisation's level of community engagement
4. value for money
5. demonstrated capacity of the organisation to deliver the project.

Applicants will be advised in writing of the outcome of their application shortly.

Applicant guidelines

The following documents are available for your reference. Please note applications for the 2011-12 funding round have closed.

• Community Action Grants - Applicant Guidelines 2011-12 (PDF - 621 KB) |  (Word - 1 MB)

Further information

For further information about Community Action Grants, please contact us at communityactiongrants@nrm.gov.au or on 1800 552 008.

You can also try our Community Action Grants Frequently Asked Questions for more information.