Funding to support environmental volunteer groups to build their capacity
Find out how to apply for the Environmental Volunteer Group Assistance Grants. This grant supports environmental volunteer groups undertaking environmental stewardship activities in the ACT.
Applications close at 11.59 pm on 25 August 2026.
Environmental Volunteer Group Assistance Grants
This grant helps groups to build their capabilities and capacity to carry out volunteer roles and/or deliver volunteer led community projects through:
- volunteer recruitment
- group workshops or skills training
- planning activities.
This grant is part of the ACT Environmental Grants Program.
Who this is for
This grant is for environmental volunteer groups.
What you get
You can get a grant of up to $5,000.
Check if you can apply
You can apply if you’re a volunteer group within the ACT who is undertaking environmental stewardship activities on public land.
You must not be:
- a government agency
- a political party registered under the Electoral Act.
Non-incorporated groups will need to apply through a sponsoring incorporated community organisation.
What you can do
Your project must:
- align with the funding priorities in the grant guidelines
- be undertaken within the Australian Capital Territory.
Examples of projects include:
- developing landscape site plans to assist plans for future volunteer led projects
- creating promotional material or events to recruit new members
- running workshops about issues critical to your volunteer site
- participating in group training to enhance your group’s skills.
Find out examples of what can be funded.
Funding for your project is for one year.
Before you apply
Check what you’ll need to apply
You, or your sponsor, will need to have:
- an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- public liability insurance with a minimum of $20 million in cover or an appropriate level of cover for the risk profile of your proposed project
- voluntary workers insurance if your project uses a volunteer base
- other documentation outlined in the grant guidelines and application form.
Apply
- Register or log in to your Smarty Grants account to access the application form.
- Follow the instructions to complete your application.
- Submit your application before the closing date.
After you apply
We'll assess your application and let you know the result by email.
If your application meets eligibility requirements, a panel will assess it against the criteria in the grant guidelines.
If you're successful we'll:
- notify you and/or your sponsor by email
- contact you to finalise the Deed of Grant for your project.
Past projects
You can find past grant recipients in our annual reports.
Find out about recently funded projects below.
- Resources for Volunteer Recruitment & Training, Wombat Support & Rescue ACT/NSW - $5,000
- Team Up on Lovegrass: A Hands-On Control Workshop, Ginninderra Catchment Group - $3,610
- Snakes in the Suburbs: Working beside our slithery friends, Ginninderra Catchment Group - $5,000
- Promotional materials for Friends of Tuggeranong Hill and Red Hill Regenerators, Friend of Tuggeranong Hill, Red Hill Regenerators Parkcare and the Southern ACT Catchment Group - $5,000
- Croke Place Open Day, Croke Place Landcare and Ginninderra Catchment Group* - $3,680
- Strengthening Governance for Volunteer Growth, Landcare ACT - $5,000
- Celebrate Namadgi 2024! National Parks Association ACT – $5,000
- EcoMap: Site planning and community engagement mapping for volunteer groups, Ginninderra Catchment Group – $5,000
- Friends of Magpie Hill Park Group plant and bird identification training, Friends of Magpie Hill and Molonglo Conservation Group* – $4,400
- Friends of Molonglo Green Spaces – training and recruiting new volunteers, Friends of Molonglo Green Spaces and Molonglo Conservation Group* – $4,840
- Growing River Stewardship in the ACT, OzFish Unlimited – $5,000
- Grevillea Park Environment, Meditation and Healing Garden, Grevillea Park Garden Volunteer Group and Molonglo Conservation Group* – $4,895
- Orana School Bush Regeneration Project, Orana Parents and Friends Association Incorporated – $5,000
- Plant Identification Training for Landcarers, Southern ACT Catchment Group – $5,000
- Promotional materials for the Cooleman Ridge and Mount Taylor Parkcare Groups, Cooleman Ridge Parkcare, Mount Taylor Parkcare Group and Southern ACT Catchment Group – $5,000
- Promotional materials for the Friends of Urambi Hills and Friends of Wanniassa Hills, Friends of Urambi Hills, the Friends of Wanniassa Hills and Southern ACT Catchment Group – $5,000