The Circular Economy Organics Councils Fund (the Fund) aims to support Local Governments and the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board to increase their use of recycled kerbside organic products in council and community settings, to build sustainable end markets and transition to a circular economy. 

Projects must meet one or more of the following objectives:

• build and diversify end markets for recycled organics by increasing the use of recycled kerbside organic products in council settings
• create local closed loop solutions to increase circular procurement and circular consumption behaviours in council
• increase knowledge and raise awareness of the benefits of using recycled kerbside organics to the community.

The Fund aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• increase the use of recycled kerbside organic products in council and community settings
• promote and distribute knowledge across councils around the application and benefits of using recycled kerbside organics
• improve the health and resilience of soils in council parks, gardens, and public green spaces
• improve circular consumption behaviours in our communities and the ongoing use of recycled kerbside organics in council settings.

Projects must source products derived from Victorian kerbside FOGO collections and support end market use in council and community settings.

Funding available

Competitive grants from $30,000 up to $100,000 will be available to Local Governments and the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board to create new and/or expand existing end markets for recycled kerbside organic products by:

• removing barriers to increase the procurement and use of recycled kerbside organics
• directly increasing the use of recycled kerbside organics in council settings.

Co-contribution

Applicants must meet minimum co-contribution ratios, $1 SV: $1 Applicant

Co-contribution can be either financial (cash) or in-kind. Up to 100% of the co-contribution can be in-kind.

Co-contributions must be for eligible activities (refer to 2.3 What will be funded).

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are the 79 Victorian Local Governments and the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board.

The program requires a single applicant to apply. A Council or the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board can apply either as an individual application or as a Lead Applicant for a Collaborative Partnership application. The Applicant is fully accountable for project delivery.

Applicants must:

• have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be able to demonstrate financial and in-kind viability to undertake the project (will meet or exceed the minimum co-contribution requirements)
• demonstrate the commitment of an organics processing facility or supplier to provide the recycled kerbside organic product. Examples include but are not limited to: collaborative procurement contract or written letter of support
• agree to comply with the Terms of Participation in Grant Programs
• agree to comply with the funding terms and conditions

• Email: Grants.Enquiries@sustainability.vic.gov.au