Community Gardens are places where Canberrans can grow food, make friends and connect with nature, while also creating great habitats for local animals.

Community Gardens Grants program

The grants program aims to support community garden projects throughout the ACT. Previous projects include traditional and indigenous food gardens, micro-forests, and urban gardens.

Funding can be used to build or enhance community gardens by:

• buying tools and materials.
• hiring equipment.
• or cover the costs of contractors.

Since its development the program has helped both new and existing community gardens operated by a diverse range for community groups including not-for-profit groups, school communities, owner’s corporations and religious groups.

Canberra City Farm

Canberra City Farm located on Diary Road in Fyshwick has received funding across two rounds of the Community Garden Grants. The farm has grown into a beloved community space for many Canberrans.

Grant funding allowed the garden to expand its plots to welcome more members and share gardening knowledge across generations.

“The grant funding received in 2019 allowed us to plant an additional 25 allotments with the main expense being installing irrigation and hiring equipment,” President of the Canberra City Farm John Peters said.

“Many of our older allotments are farmed by retirees, and our newer allotments, which came from our grant funding, are farmed by young families who live in apartments. They travel to the farm by bike or bring their kids, have picnics, and enjoy their time outside.

“The retirees have the practical knowledge of how to grow plants and produce in Canberra, and through working together this knowledge is passed onto the younger groups.

“We recognise we are a community asset and welcome schools and other garden groups to the farm. We give these groups a tour of the farm, which is both educational and social.”

^{President of the Canberra City Farm John Peters at the garden in Fyshwick.}

Apply for the 2023-24 grants program

This year there is $100,000 of grant funding available, split across two categories. Not-for-profit community organisations, schools, churches, and owners’ corporations are eligible to apply .

• Category one: $40,000 available
  Up to $10,000 per project that will fund minor improvements or expansion of existing gardens or establishing small low-impact gardens.

• Category two: $60,000 available
  Up to $20,000 per project to establish new large-scale food production community gardens, or for significant garden infrastructure.

More information about the Community Garden’s Grant program, including details on how to apply is available on the Everyday Climate Choices website: climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-programs/community-garden-grants

More information about the Canberra City Farm and upcoming events can be found in the farm’s website: ccfarm.org.au

Applications for the 2023-24 program close on Thursday, 7 September 2023.

Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:

Subscribe to Our CBR