Caring for Country Business Development Grant Program Overview The Caring for Country Business Development Grant Program aims to build the capacity, capability, and competitiveness of Aboriginal businesses by supporting them to reach their potential. The NSW Government is providing $700,000 in grant funding to Greater Sydney Aboriginal businesses to help deliver conservation outcomes under the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP). The grant program is being delivered by the Yarpa Hub in partnership with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (the department). This program and partnership supports Aboriginal businesses to build capacity, capability, and competitiveness, help them reach their potential and become tender ready for future opportunities. Applications now open Applications for the grant program are open until Friday the 9th of June 2023. Apply online and complete the application process. Background The CPCP commits to eight social, environmental, and economic outcomes. One of these outcomes is to support economic participation for Aboriginal people, promote Aboriginal culture and knowledge, and help enable Aboriginal communities maintain a distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical, and economic relationships with land and waters in Western Sydney. To achieve this outcome, the department is working with Western Sydney’s Aboriginal communities to develop the Caring for Country - Aboriginal Outcomes Strategy (the Strategy). To pilot ideas in the draft Strategy, the department has co-designed the Caring for Country Business Development Grants Program in collaboration with the Yarpa Hub. Program Objectives The objectives of the Caring for Country Business Development Grant Program are: • To support Aboriginal owned businesses to build capacity and capability to ensure they are best placed to capitalise on the opportunities arising from the early implementation phase of the CPCP, and • To support Aboriginal owned businesses to become tender ready and have the ability to compete for future tenders under the CPCP.Funding StreamsThis is a competitive grants program and submitting an application does not guarantee funding. The Caring for Country Grant Program has two funding streams: “Accelerate Your Start-up” Project funding of up to $25,000 (GST exclusive) is available for businesses that: • Are in the early operational phase of their business, • Need support in accelerating their business and • Have been operating for less than 2 years. “Scale up and Grow” Project funding of up to $75,000 (GST exclusive) is available for businesses that have: • Have been operating their business for at least 2 years, • Need support in scaling-up their business, • Have had an annual turnover of less than $5 million for each of the previous two financial years, and • Have set solid foundations for their business.Eligibility CriteriaBusiness Eligibility Businesses that are eligible to apply: • Must be at least 50% Aboriginal owned, managed and controlled (proof required), • Must be based in Greater Sydney, • Must have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in NSW or demonstrate their business was primarily operating in NSW as of 1 January 2022, and • Must meet all conditions of funding as outlined in the Grant Guidelines. Eligible business can come from a range of sectors including: • Ecological restoration including tree planting • Capital works such as fencing to support land management activities • Natural resource management • Cultural land management activities such as cultural burning • Cultural heritage assessment • Cultural tourism • Environmental impact assessment or site assessment • Education and engagement • Pest and weed management • Biodiversity assessment services Businesses NOT eligible to apply: • An income tax exempt corporation • A trust • Federal, State and Local Government agency and/or body, including a government business enterprise. • Eligible organisations can submit no more than one application each. Project Eligibility The following projects WILL be considered for funding: • Upgrading equipment (purchasing or leasing); • Development of non-material assets including but not limited to environmental management, quality assurance and risk assessment policies • ISO accreditation • Upskilling staff • Training and development, including conference attendance • Coaching and mentoring • Qualifications and licensing • Acquiring specialised services to strengthen the capability of the business, including but not limited to: • Strategic planning, • Capability statements, • Graphic design, • Web design and development • Marketing and communications. • Implementation of IT systems, services, and equipment Projects that WILL NOT be considered for funding include: • General operating costs; • Wages, salaries, and on-costs for ongoing staff; • Administration costs related to the normal operations of a business; • Activities primarily associated with housing management and housing related infrastructure including on former reserves and missions; • Purchase of vehicles; • Purchase of land; • International travel costs. Proposals for domestic travel costs need to demonstrate the benefits of travel to the project; • Costs that are not directly associated with the delivery of the project that is funded by the grant; • Costs that are supported by another grant, subsidy, or financial assistance; • Costs incurred prior to signing of the funding agreement between successful businesses and NSWALC (no retrospective funding will be awarded); and • Costs to cover existing debts or budget deficits. Project TimelineApplications Open: 15th of May 2023 Applications Close: 9th of June 2023 Applications Reviewed: 12th - 16th of June 2023 Feedback Round: 19th - 30th of June 2023 Successful Applicants Notified: 3rd - 7th of July 2023 Project Commencement: 7th of August 2023 Project Completion: 30th of April 2024More Information How to apply Click here to complete the online application process. Program Guidelines Click here to download the Caring for Country Grant Program Guidelines and Assessment Criteria. Frequently Asked Questions Click here to download a copy of the FAQ's Contact Details If you have any questions about the Program, its application process or need support with your application, please contact the grants officer at the Yarpa Hub on 1300 017 177 or via email at info@yarpa.com.au TweetShareShareEmailBuffer