Strengthening Local Government Partnerships

Overview

Applications for the current round of grants are now closed and successful applicants have been announced. Local councils will be notified when the next round of grant applications are open.

The Strengthening Local Government Partnerships project is part of the Victorian Budget 2020-21 record $517 million investment to reduce the risk of bushfires in a changing climate and build local government capability and capacity to undertake its emergency management responsibilities.

Established in August 2018, the Strengthening Local Government Partnerships grants aim to strengthen partnerships between local government, fire and land managers or other key stakeholders, and communities. This project helps local governments design engagement projects that meet local needs.

What are the objectives of the grants?

• Promote a collaborative, multi-partner approach to bushfire risk reduction
• Provide resources, support and connections for local government
• Help local government to deliver place-based, community-centred engagement
• Share information across local governments and partners across the state

Eligibility

Who can apply?

Local councils using a community-first approach to reduce bushfire risk can apply.

Who cannot apply?

The following cannot apply for funding:

• Individuals
• State Government agencies
• Private sector businesses and agencies
• Educational institutions
• Not for profit organisations
• Any other group not classified as a local council.

What types of projects will we fund?

Projects that:

• Engage with communities within one or across several areas on bushfire risk reduction approaches
• Strengthen partnerships between fire agencies and/or other organisations to work with communities
• Encourage collaboration between two or more local governments in bushfire risk areas
• Increase community participation in bushfire risk reduction activities
• Identify connections or support links between emergency management and community-based approaches
• Support local bushfire risk reduction activities
• Support understanding the effects of these activities on communities, businesses and the environment
• Encourage or support knowledge sharing and connection across other LGAs and communities.

What are the assessment criteria?

Each application will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Community bushfire risk reduction priorities: Projects adopt a community-centred approach to bushfire risk reduction and strengthening community resilience – 30%
2. Relationships that support bushfire risk reduction: Projects strengthen collaboration and partnerships with communities, fire and land managers or other key stakeholders in the spirit of shared responsibility – 20%
3. Create innovative solutions: Projects enhance and add value to current bushfire risk reduction activities or deliver new approaches to managing bushfire risk at the local level – 20%
4. Demonstrated capacity of the project team to deliver and evaluate the project: Applicants must demonstrate how the project will be implemented including outlining costs, timelines, and strategies for evaluating the success of the project – 20%
5. Building capability and capacity at a local level: the project must demonstrate how local government and/or community benefit in the longer term from the delivery of this project - 10%

Funding

Grants of up to $150,000 per financial year, per local government, are available to successful applicants.

Grant applicants are encouraged to apply for funding amounts that are suitable for their individual project needs. Grants of up to 24 months are available, with the possibility of extension.

Grant application information document

Strengthening Local Government Partnerships grant guidelines  (PDF, 253.9 KB)

Information session

An information session is being held on Monday 9 May 2022 at 10 am. If you are interested in learning more about the project and hearing from previous grant recipients, please register your interest for the session or contact Kirsty Argento at kirsty.argento@delwp.vic.gov.au.

How to apply

To apply for a grant/start a new application complete the application form by the closing date and attach any relevant documentation.

To return to a previously started application -  https://delwp1.force.com/

The full guideline is available above.

For more information

Email Community First Program Manager, Stefanie Russell – S.Russell@cfa.vic.gov.au

For technical queries email grantsinfo@delwp.vic.gov.au

Timeline