In Bass Coast, environment groups, community groups, businesses, households, and Council have already taken steps to reduce emissions and prepare to meet the challenges of a changing climate. We have a strong foundation from which to scale up our collective action to achieve the shared vision of a net zero emissions community by 2030.

The Environmental Partnerships Program builds on these strong foundations by recognising and amplifying the skills and expertise that resides in our community to address climate change and other environmental challenges facing our community.

Through the program, Council will support projects established via a partnership agreement with each collaborating community organisation clearly demonstrating their contribution to delivering key environmental priorities identified in Council’s Climate Change Action Plan. The total funding pool is $100,000 per annum and partnership agreements will run between one and three years, with review points every 12 months. 

All partnership agreements under this program will comply with Bass Coast Shire Council’s Partnerships Policy. 

Council is seeking suitable community-based partners to help deliver priorities identified within Bass Coast’s Climate Change Action Plan. All applications must demonstrate how their program contributes to the following strategic objectives.
In addition, Council will consider the following matters in assessing applications:
• The program’s innovation, transferability, and scalability;
• Ability to foster collaboration and involvement of external partners such as research institutions and community service providers;
• Ability to catalyse long-term outcomes for the organisation, such as stimulating volunteer engagement or establishing an ongoing service model;
• The areas of Bass Coast proposed to be serviced by the program, noting applications that propose to service a larger area of the Shire will be treated more favourably;
• Value for money.

Applicants are highly encouraged to speak with a Council officer prior to submitting their application.

To be eligible to for this partnership program, applicants must:
• Be registered as a not-for-profit legal entity, for example an incorporated association, registered charity, or social enterprise; or
• Be a not-for-profit unincorporated group that is auspiced by a registered not-for-profit legal entity and have at least $10 million Public Liability Insurance to cover all aspects of the program.
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or attach an Australian Taxation Office Statement by a Supplier form to the application.
• Have no outstanding debts to Bass Coast Shire Council.

Auspicing
An unincorporated organisation must have its application auspiced by an eligible incorporated organisation. Information on the auspicing body is required in the application including their ABN details, copy of current public liability insurance and a completed Auspice Agreement.
If the applicant is successful, the auspicing body is legally responsible for the funds and sponsorship funding is made into their bank account.
Further information on auspicing can be found at Not for Profit Law - Auspicing.

Exclusions
The following are ineligible for funding:
• Programs based outside of Bass Coast
• Private profit-making organisations
• Programs that have already commenced, unless the funding agreement would provide an expansion of the existing program
• Staff wages exceeding $50.00 per hour
• Applications that have not provided full financial disclosure
• Programs where Council considers the purpose is to advance an organisation’s religious or partisan political position, irrespective of what those beliefs or positions might be.

A total funding pool of $100,000 is available per year. Depending on the number and quality of responses received, Council intends to negotiate multiple partnership agreements. There is a maximum project amount of $25,000 per year are available. Council reserves the right to offer funding amounts less than proposed in any application, based on the quality and quantity of applications received. Council wishes to support a breadth of organisations across the Shire through this program, subject to the application process.

As a partnership program, Council does not require a minimum financial contribution from applicants. However, the ability of an organisation to provide external financial and non-financial contributions (e.g., staff and other organisational resources), will be considered favourably in applications and form part of the assessment criteria.

Applications may be made by multiple organisations under one lead organisation. Council encourages collaborative approaches, and this is reflected in the assessment criteria. However, each organisation can submit only one application.

All partnership agreements established under the program will run for a maximum of two years, with review points every 12-months. The level of reporting obligations will be scaled according to the level of funding offered.

Council is seeking applications from suitably skilled community organisations to deliver programs and projects aligned with the following actions.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the program contributes to the actions listed.

• Applications are open until 14 October 2026. 
• All proposed Partnership Agreements will be presented to Council for approval.
• Following Council-approval, all successful Partnership Agreements will be signed and funding distributed.