In celebration of Coastcare Victoria’s 25^th year, the Andrews Labor Government is providing more funds and larger grants to Victorian community groups through the Coastcare Community Grants Program.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today announced that applications for the 2020 program are now open.

Grants up to $30,000 are available for eligible projects to conserve, restore and rehabilitate Victoria’s coastal and marine environments.

The $495,000 program has two streams of funding this year to support community adaptation and improve ecosystem resilience to climate change.

Projects under the stewardship and education stream focus on activities that conserve, rehabilitate, and restore coastal and marine ecosystems. This stream encourages activities that support community participation, engagement and education to enhance knowledge and understanding of coastal and marine management

A new volunteer resilience stream encourages community groups to consider ways to expand, diversify volunteer bases and create opportunities to engage youth and volunteers from different backgrounds, cultures, nationalities and abilities.

This stream is seeking projects that use the different ways people want to volunteer and improve volunteer recruitment and retention.

For over 25 years, Coastcare Victoria has supported local community groups to look after Victoria’s precious marine and coastal environments and engage the broader public in coastal stewardship.

Applications for the grants close 5:00pm on Thursday, 7 May. For more information on the 2020 Coastcare Community Grants Program, including funding guidelines, visit delwp.vic.gov.au/Coastcare.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“This year, our grants program has been doubled to $495,000, allowing us to support even more community groups – projects can receive up to $30,000 in funding, which is double last year’s grants.”

“We’re very excited to offer a new stream that focuses on strengthening groups and supports volunteers to
capitalise on the expertise, passion and diversity in their communities.”

“For 25 years, Coastcare Victoria has been looking after our iconic coastal and marine environment – and we’re proud to support them through this vital program.”