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Our Catchments Our Communities Leadership Development Grants 2020

Application Guidelines

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

1. About the Grants....................................................................................................................2

2. Eligibility: who can/cannot apply? .........................................................................................2

3. What types of activities might be funded? ............................................................................3

4. What are the funding details?................................................................................................3

5. What is the application process? ..........................................................................................3

6. How will applications be assessed? .....................................................................................4

7. What is the notification process?...........................................................................................4

8. Conditions that apply to applications and funding.................................................................4

9. Resources and additional information...................................................................................5

10.Key dates ..............................................................................................................................5

11.12.

13.

Contents

Our Catchments Our Communities Leadership Development Grants 2020Application Guidelines

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Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

1. About the Grants

1.1.What are the Leadership Development Grants?14.The Our Catchments, Our Communities Leadership Development Grants support the development

of future leaders in integrated catchment management in Victoria.

15. Integrated catchment management is the coordinated management of land, water and biodiversity resources based on catchment areas. This approach incorporates environmental, economic and social considerations and seeks to ensure the long-term viability of natural resource systems and human needs across current and future generations.

16.Funding of up to $10,000 will be provided for travel, study, research or other activities that contribute to leadership or professional development for integrated catchment management. The grants to be awarded in the following categories:

17. Innovation – new approaches and knowledge to address contemporary issues

18. Aboriginal Leadership – recognising and supporting Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians as leaders

19.Women in Leadership – improving diversity and inclusion and the opportunity for women to lead

20.The 2020 grants will be the final round concluding the current program that began in 2017. Grants recipients are required to share the knowledge and experience gained with others to strengthen the catchment management sector.

1.2.Why is the Victorian Government funding these grants?21.These professional development grants are a key initiative of the Victorian Government’s Our

Catchments Our Communities strategy.

22.Our Catchments Our Communities is Victoria’s first state-wide integrated catchment management strategy and is funded from the Victorian Government’s $222m investment to implement Water for Victoria. Specifically, the grants contribute to achieving Goal 1 of the Strategy: Effective community engagement in catchment management.

23.The strategy states that success for Goal 1 means an “increased capacity for diverse communities to participate in catchment management due to improved support of investment programs and participation in leadership development opportunities.”

2. Eligibility: who can/cannot apply?

2.1.Who can apply?24.These grants provide funds for activities that support early and mid-career individuals who have a

demonstrated track record of accomplishment, are seeking to tackle big challenges, and aim to make an impact in the field of integrated catchment management and/or natural resource management.

25.The grants are open to individuals working in the natural resource management sector for:

Government agencies or bodies Private sector businesses and agencies Educational institutions Local government authorities Not-for-profit organisations Non-governmental organisations Community networks and groups

26.Please note: only Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders are eligible to apply for the Aboriginal Leadership category.

27.

Our Catchments Our Communities Leadership Development Grants 2020Application Guidelines

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Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

2.2.Who cannot apply?28.Applications will not be accepted from:

Individuals not affiliated with a group, organisation, institution, agency or government body Individuals applying for a grant on behalf of another individual or group Individuals under 18 years of age Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning staff Groups, organisations, institutions, agencies or government bodies Anyone residing outside of Victoria at the time of application Non-citizens/permanent residents of Australia

3. What types of activities might be funded?

3.1.What activities are eligible for funding?29.The grants are to be used for activities that support leadership or professional development such as

travel, study, research or training. Eligible activities include:

Registration costs for training, course/s, or leadership program/s Travel costs (transport, accommodation, meals) – all flights must be economy class Costs associated with research, excluding purchase of equipment Administrative costs associated with your professional development activity (e.g.

communication materials, photocopying and printing)

3.2.What will not be funded? Contributions towards an academic/tertiary degree, certificate or diploma Support for a career change from a non-related field Help with gaining work experience or an internship Payments towards an existing project Purchase of equipment such as a laptop or other IT equipment Salaries The cost of other persons travelling, researching or studying with the grant applicant

4. What are the funding details?

30.The total funding available is $10,000 for each grant category. Applicants may request any amount up to $10,000. The number of recipients under each category will be determined based on the applications and funding levels requested.

31.Funding will be awarded in one lump sum payment at the beginning of the grant period. Applicants will have 12 months from receipt of payment to complete grant activities and spend allocated funds.

5. What is the application process?

5.1.Step 1: Check your eligibility.32.Check the detailed information contained in this guide to see if you are eligible. Other important

information about this grant program and the application process, such as FAQs, can be found at www.water.vic.gov.au/grants/ococ2020

5.2.Step 2: Apply33.You can apply for the grants from our grants page, www.water.vic.gov.au/grants/ococ2020. Here you

will find a link to complete the application form online. Follow that link and complete all required fields before submitting your application. You can save your application progress and return to it at any time. To return to your application, visit www.water.vic.gov.au/grants/ococ2020 and click “Return to your saved application”.

34.Applicants are allowed to submit multiple applications. However, applicants cannot receive more than one grant. Make sure your application is submitted by the due date as late applications will not be accepted.

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Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

35.

6. How will applications be assessed?

36.Upon receipt, your application will be reviewed to ensure you have demonstrated alignment with the chosen category description and met the general criteria and documentation requirements. A shortlist of applicants will then be provided to a selection panel who will assess the proposals and recommend the recipients of the grants. The Minister for Water, the Hon. Lisa Neville will approve the grant recipients.

6.1.What are the assessment criteria?37.Applicants should address all of the following general criteria in the online application form:

An aspiration to be a leader in integrated catchment management Demonstrate relevant background and experience in natural resource management and/or

integrated catchment management Proposals must include the following:

o the purpose for the travel, study, research and/or trainingo how the proposal will contribute to your leadership in integrated catchment management in

Victoriao how the proposal will further the applicant’s professional development and improve their

leadership capabilitieso how the proposal will benefit integrated catchment management in Victoriao how others will benefit from the knowledge and experience gained, and how that knowledge

and experience will be shared with the catchment management sectoro timelines and itineraryo budget detailso demonstrates that the proposal is achievable within the timeframe and budgeto third-party endorsement/written references (employer where applicable)

7. What is the notification process?

38.Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email after the assessment process is completed. All decisions are final and are not subject to further review. Successful applicants may be requested to attend an event to receive their grant certificate, or to receive the certificate in person from the Minister or her delegate. A photo opportunity may be requested to promote the grants program.

8. Conditions that apply to applications and funding

8.1.Funding agreements39.Successful applicants must enter into a funding agreement with DELWP. The Victorian Common

Funding Agreement is used for funding agreements with individuals. It is recommended that applicants review the terms and conditions before applying. Information about the Victorian Common Funding Agreement is available at https://providers.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-common-funding-agreement.

40.8.2.Legislative and regulatory requirements41.When undertaking activities under this grants program, recipients are required to comply with all

relevant Commonwealth and state/territory legislations and regulations, including but not limited to:

The Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth) The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Commonwealth) (FOI Act) Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.

8.3.Acknowledging the Government’s support and promoting successes

Our Catchments Our Communities Leadership Development Grants 2020Application Guidelines

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Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

42.Successful applicants are expected to acknowledge the Victorian Government’s support and promotional guidelines will form part of the funding agreement. This is outlined in the Acknowledgement and Publicity Guidelines. A link to these guidelines can be found at www.water.vic.gov.au/grants/ococ2020.

43.Successful applicants must liaise with the departmental program area to coordinate any public events or announcements related to the project. Successful applicants may be required to contribute information on activity outcomes for use in program evaluation reviews or the department’s marketing materials.

8.4.Payments44.The payment will be made in 1 lump sum at the beginning of the grant period following receipt of all

required documentation, including the funding agreement signed by both parties. Applicants will have 12 months from receipt of payment to spend allocated funds.

8.5.Variations to proposed activities45. It is possible to vary your initiative/project after you have received funding. However, any changes

must be discussed with, and approved by, the appropriate DELWP officer as soon as possible. You are ineligible to spend grant funds on any activities not outlined in your application until changes have been approved.

8.6.Monitoring and Reporting 46.DELWP reserves the right to contact recipients at any time for further information and updates

relating to their grant. Grant recipients are required to comply with project reporting requirements as outlined in the funding agreement. DELWP reserve the right to request full or partial repayment of provisioned funds if grant recipients do not comply. Reporting requirements include:

Final report submission by 30 September 2021 includingo A description of activities undertakeno A description of your leadership objectives and how the activities contributed to

theseo An overview of how you will apply your learnings into the future

Financial report submission by 30 September 2021 including summary and proofs of all expenses including travel, courses, meals, and accommodation

Invitations may be extended to present the report to relevant forums, such as the Catchments Summit, as appropriate.

The report or extracts may be used by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and the Catchment Management Authorities. The report may be made available on the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website.

8.7.Privacy47.Any personal information about you or a third party in your application will be collected by the

department for the purpose of grant administration. This information may be provided to other Victorian Government bodies for the purposes of assessing your application. If you intend to include personal information about third parties in your application, please ensure that they are aware of the contents of this privacy statement.

48.Any personal information about you or a third party in your correspondence will be collected, held, managed, used, disclosed or transferred in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and other applicable laws.

49.DELWP is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information. You can find the DELWP Privacy Policy online at delwp.vic.gov.au/privacy. Requests for access to information about you held by DELWP should be sent to the Manager Privacy, P.O. Box 500 East Melbourne 3002 or phone on 9637 8697.

9. Resources and additional information

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Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

50.Additional information is available at the program web page www.water.vic.gov.au/grants/ococ2020. For help with submitting your application, contact the Victorian Government’s Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 or email ourcatchments.ourcommunities@delwp.vic.gov.au.

10. Key dates

51.52.53.54.55.56.Please note: These dates

are subject to change.

57.58.59.60.61.62.

63.64.65.66.67.68.69.70.71.72.73.74.75.76.77.78.79.80.81.82.83.84.85.86.87.88.89.90.91.92.

1. Applications open 2. 3 February 2020 (8am AEST)

3. Applications close 4. 27 March 2020 (4pm AEST)

5. Applicants notified 6. 18 May 2020

7. Grants paid 8. Expected 12 June 2020

9. Grant certificates presented

10. 2020 OCOC Summit

11. Funds spent by 12. 12 months from receipt of payment

13. Final Report completed 14. 30 September 2021

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delwp.vic.gov.au

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

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