On 1 September 2022, Responsible Wood launched its 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 $2,000 and $15,000.
Experienced forester and engagement manager Megan Graham will administer the community grant program. She said that she’s excited to see what ideas will be proposed in this round of funding. As, over the past two years, she was really impressed by the interesting and creative applications that communities from all over Australia have submitted.
This year, she 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 she 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 Oct 31.
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.
For all of the grant information, please visit the dedicated Community Grants web page (https://www.responsiblewood.org.au/what-we-do/our-collective-impact/community-grants-program/) and direct enquiries to [email protected].
The key dates include:
- 1 Sept – 31 Oct applications are open.
- Nov 15, applicants will be notified of their application status
- Nov 15 – May 31 2022 projects are developed and completed
Further information including the 2022 Application Form, Eligibility Checklist and Judging Checklist please visit https://www.responsiblewood.org.au/what-we-do/our-collective-impact/community-grants-program/
2021/22 Successful Grant Recipients Details
Community Group: Planting Seeds
- Project: Installation of nesting boxes in New South Wales primary schools as part of the B&B Highway – Bed & Breakfasts for Birds, Bees and Biodiversity program.
- Location: Cumberland, New South Wales
Community Group: Friends of the Heysen Trail
- Project: The restoration of the popular Rossiter’s Hut, a 19th century shepherd’s hut located along the 1,200 km hiking Heysen Trail.
- Location: Pewsey Vale, South Australia
Community Group: Gippsland Forestry Hub
- Project: A forestry career pathway program, working with the local education sector and employment agencies to train, up-skill and promote opportunities for employment.
- Location: Gippsland, Victoria
Community Group: Human Projectile MTB Club Inc
- Project: Installation of bespoke timber furniture in the popular Fox Creek Bike Park located in the Adelaide Hills.
- Location: Adelaide Hills, Adelaide
Community Group: Green Skills
- Project: Improvements to the farm forestry and wetland site at Denmark.
- Location: Denmark, Western Australia
For information about the program, please contact: Megan Graham, [email protected]
For media inquiries, please contact: Simon Dorries, Responsible Wood, tel: +61 7 3359 1758, [email protected]