The type of projects include land usage change; farm aggregation and succession/sales; workforce issues, including culture and ethnicity, proximity and longevity; building and improving social infrastructure; addressing climate impacts; and science development.
The projects will be funded by the Gardiner Foundation under its inaugural Community Investment Grants program.
Non-profit organisations servicing Victorian communities where the dairy industry is a primary economic and social activity or social enterprises, which benefit dairy communities, are eligible.
Beginning in late 2025, three regional projects will each receive up to $75,000 over three years, representing a total investment of $225,000 in local innovation and community development.
Delivered in partnership with the Australian Communities Foundation, the program will provide multi-year grants of up to $25,000 per year per dairy region (Gippsland, northern Victoria and south-west Victoria).
Funding is available for initiatives such as seed projects, service delivery, data and regional metrics to inform community planning, coaching and program support, events and workshops, training and education, and essential equipment.
Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron said the program is designed to back locally led innovation at a time of significant change for regional communities.
“Through this program, we are investing in projects with the potential to transform and strengthen Victoria’s dairy regions,” Mr Cameron said.
“By supporting ideas driven by local people, we can help ensure our dairy communities remain strong, sustainable and vibrant into the future.”
Expressions of Interest for the Community Investment Grants are now open and will close at 5pm on Thursday, October 16. Successful recipients will be announced later in the year.
Full details are available via the ACF website: https://communityfoundation.org.au/grant-rounds/gardiner-community-investment-grants/
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