Up to $50,000 for green innovation

A $2 million fund for volunteers is open for its fourth and final round, offering up to $50,000 for environmental projects.

The State Government’s ‘Volunteering Innovation Fund’ (VIF) is currently open for its ‘Biodiversity Round’, funding community-led projects supporting the parks and forests of Victoria.

Applications will be assessed by a panel of assessors on four criteria: innovation (40 per cent), volunteerism (30 per cent), merit (20 per cent) and legacy (10 per cent).

To be eligible, projects must be conducted on and/or benefit Crown land within Victoria, and while existing volunteers and volunteer organisations are encouraged to apply, projects that are already underway are not eligible for VIF funding.

Projects conducted on council land, Capital Works projects, and projects that require a Cultural Heritage Management Plan are also ineligible.

Projects funded under previous rounds include wetland bird monitoring with solar powered monitoring stations, a Scouts project to rejuvenate rail trails, and a group forest work catering to blind and vision impaired people.

The Biodiversity Round closes for funding applications at 5 pm on Monday 3 October 2022. The ‘Youth Volunteering for Nature’ program is also open, and closes at the same time, for those aged 18 to 29, offering grants of up to $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups.

For more information and to apply, visit www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au/vif/.