Circular Economy Household Education Fund – Round 1

2. Why is the Victorian Government providing this funding?

The Victorian Government has invested over $515 million to deliver the biggest transformation and reform of Victoria’s waste and recycling industry. This includes $380 million to deliver the Recycling Victoria policy (RV policy), which will fundamentally reduce waste, boost jobs and establish a recycling system Victorians can rely on.

The Fund sits under Goal 2 of the Recycling Victoria policy: Use products for more value. It also sits under Sustainability Victoria’s strategy to transition Victoria to a circular, climate-resilient economy and the following focus areas:

• Focus area 2: We enable resource recovery and reuse.
• Focus area 3: We lead community behaviour change to reduce emissions and waste.

3. About the Fund

The Fund provides financial assistance to support councils and ARMBs who are planning to introduce new services before June 2023, or who have already delivered a 4-stream household recycling service.

The New Household Recycling Services under the Recycling Victoria policy are:

• a glass-only recycling service (kerbside bin or alternate/drop-off)
• food organics and garden organics (FOGO) service (kerbside bin or alternate/drop-off)
• adding food organics (FO) to an existing garden organics (GO) service
• expanding existing opt-in GO or FOGO services to the entire municipality
• changing bin lid colours to be consistent across the state
• achieving a 4-stream household recycling service.

Funding amount

Base amount

The Fund includes a base amount for all applicants. It is:

• $25,000 for each ARMB
• $30,000 for each council.

Variable component for councils

In addition, there is a variable component for councils which will be determined by Sustainability Victoria. The maximum a council could receive is capped at $106,000 (including variable amount) based on consideration of the following factors:

• population to be reached and informed about service changes, based on the:
  • number of residents in the municipality (based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data)
  • number and density of residential properties or dwellings in the municipality (based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data).
• evidence councils provide in the application of specific recycling behaviour change challenges* in their communities based on the:
  • existence of high household contamination rates (commingled and organics waste streams)
  • significantly high proportion of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in the council area
  • the complexity (the number and type) of changes from the existing to the new services and whether they are staggered or occur all at once.

(*SV has conducted extensive research to identify the segments of the population that are more likely to possess higher rates of incorrect recycling behaviour and knowledge. This research is available on SV’s website.)

4. Who can apply?

To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

• be a Victorian local government organisation (council) or a Victorian alpine resort management board (ARMB)
• submit one application only
• have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
• demonstrate they are planning to introduce New Household Recycling Services between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2023, or have delivered a 4-stream household recycling service
• use the Campaign Materials developed by Sustainability Victoria
• use the Campaign Guide to complete the application (found in the SmartyGrants application form)
• agree to comply with Sustainability Victoria’s Funding Agreement Terms and Conditions:
  • Terms and Conditions (for funding of $50,000 or less)
  • Terms and Conditions (for funding more than $50,000)

• agree to comply with Sustainability Victoria’s Terms of Participation in Grant Programs.

Applicants are encouraged to contact their respective regional waste and resource recovery group (WRRG) to discuss their application and seek feedback. WRRGs can support councils and ARMBs with their application and will not be involved in the assessment of applications.

Note:

The term ‘Project’ refers to the delivery of the communications and engagement activities using the Campaign Materials developed by Sustainability Victoria.

Applicants must provide details of the proposed communications and engagement activities in the application form. Sustainability Victoria has developed a Campaign Guide to support councils and ARMBs to identify these activities (found in the SmartyGrants application form). A more comprehensive Campaign Guide will be available later in 2021.

5. What will be funded?

You must use the grant to fund activities that involve the campaign materials developed by Sustainability Victoria.

Your activities must:

• take place in or service Victoria
• be completed within 3 years of signing the funding agreement.

Only communication and engagement activities using the Campaign Materials developed by Sustainability Victoria for the New Household Recycling Services will be funded.

A minimum of 40% of the grant amount must be used to advertise the New Household Recycling Services locally, however Sustainability Victoria recommends 60% of the grant be allocated to advertising to reach all segments of the local community.

This includes advertising across all channels, including but not limited to print, radio, digital, selected out-of-home channels (such as billboards at transport stops and shopping centres) and direct mail. Advertising channels must be targeted to reach the municipality.

A maximum of 60% of the grant amount can be used for other activities such as:

• localisation of the Campaign Materials developed by Sustainability Victoria, including incorporating the applicant’s logo
• production of materials designed for local use (for example, printing costs)
• monitoring and evaluation of the Project
• community-based social marketing and behavioural interventions for specific audience segments (for example: prompts in communal bin areas; incentives or competitions; visible social norms and diffusion techniques, like use of gold stars or rewards for low contamination bins; direct feedback via bin tags or letterbox drops)
• engagement activities (for example, external costs to run workshops, door-knocking, community tours, displays and events. These costs may include venue hire, advertising and production of materials). The Campaign Guide will include further suggestions for local ideas.
• an external project delivery officer 100% dedicated to delivery of the Project, if it can be demonstrated this is essential.

6. What will not be funded?

Funding will not be provided for:

• communications and engagement activities that do not use the Campaign Materials developed by Sustainability Victoria
• activities already funded by other government funding streams including the Kerbside Reform Support Fund and the rural and regional Transfer Station Upgrade Fund.

Funding will not be provided for the following Project costs:

• capital purchases (for example, infrastructure, equipment)
• lease or purchase of land
• permit, licensing, approval costs
• routine or cyclical maintenance works
• repair of facilities damaged by vandalism, fire or other natural disasters where damage should be covered by insurance operating costs (for example, electricity, water and other utilities)
• purchase of vehicles (for example, front-end loaders, forklifts)
• business case development, feasibility studies, consultancy or contract work pre-construction (site preparation) (for example, site clearing, earthworks or site accessibility works)
• research for development and demonstration
• leasing of equipment travel, conferences and other educational activities
• retrospective projects or project activities.

7. Assessment process

Every Victorian council and ARMB that meets the eligibility requirements will receive one grant to use the Campaign Materials when introducing New Household Recycling Services, or if they have already introduced a four-bin kerbside system.

7.1 Assessment criteria

Applicants will be assessed against the criteria outlined below.

What

Applicants must provide a summary of the specific New Household Recycling Service changes to be introduced, or recently delivered, in your council or ARMB area and information and any evidence on the type of audiences that need to be engaged within the community.

This includes details of:

• types of services being introduced (for example, kerbside versus drop-off, organics, glass)
• the timing of the changes
• number of residents to be reached overall
• number of residential properties to be reached overall
• details of specific audience segments that may require additional communications and campaign activities (for example, people aged 18-35 years, residents from CALD communities and/or multi-unit dwellings)
• any recycling behaviour challenges specific to the community existing contamination rates (if known).

How

Applicants must provide an outline of the communications and engagement activities to be delivered to support the New Household Recycling Services. This includes, but is not limited to:

• activities for the different stages of the campaign cycle
• details of the activities to reach and engage the target audiences within the community
• channels, tactics and the types of Campaign Materials to be used
• monitoring and evaluation activities for the Project.

A detailed budget is not required for the application.

Why

Applicants must outline a clear rationale for their chosen communication and engagement activities and draw the link between the New Household Recycling Services, the audiences and community to be engaged, and the activities planned. Outline why those channels and activities will be successful in reaching householders and helping support the services and achieve low contamination rates.

Who

Applicants must demonstrate their ability to deliver the Project with details of their:

• capability (skills and knowledge)
• capacity (resources)
• experience (previous campaign delivery).

Applicants are asked to identify if they will be working collaboratively with neighbouring councils or ARMBs who have the same or very similar Projects.

7.2 Due diligence

A risk-based approach will be used to assess the applicant’s social, economic and environmental risks in relation to the Project.

Applicants should:

• have had no Environmental, Safety or Workplace Breaches in the last five years or, if there was a breach, SV may assess a satisfactory level of risk the applicant’s breach poses
• have not been the subject of an enforceable undertaking or successful litigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman for a breach of the Fair Work Act 2009 or a fair work instrument within the last five years
• demonstrate financial capability to undertake the Project
• have adequate insurance as outlined in the funding agreement and below:
  • Public liability $20 million minimum
  • Professional indemnity $5 million minimum
  • WorkCover

• have not failed to satisfactorily progress or complete previous projects funded by SV within funding program timelines and without sufficient reason
• manage any conflicts of interest adequately.

Assessment of satisfactory level of risk will include but not be limited to SV’s consideration of:

• the seriousness of any finding/s
• whether the finding/s has been resolved to the satisfaction of the relevant enforcement agency, or the applicant can demonstrate it is working effectively to resolve the finding
• the efforts made by the applicant including implementation of management systems, to ensure no further finding/s occur
• whether, since the finding, the applicant has had a satisfactory level of compliance with relevant Environmental and Safety Laws and Workplace Laws.

SV reserves the right not to award funding to applicants where the due diligence risk is unsatisfactory or not able to be managed.

8. Funding conditions

8.1 What is required of successful applicants

Successful applicants approved for funding must:

• agree to realistic evidence-based and performance-based milestone payments
• provide insurance certificates of currency to Sustainability Victoria prior to commencement of the Project
• sign the Sustainability Victoria funding agreement within 30 days of approval
• deliver the Project as outlined in the application and comply with the funding agreement
• contribute to regular Project progress updates or meetings
• notify Sustainability Victoria immediately of any delays or change to Project scope
• submit a finalised communications and engagement plan using the template provided by Sustainability Victoria as the first milestone in the Project
• submit a finalised monitoring and evaluation plan using the template provided by Sustainability Victoria as the first milestone in the Project
• provide update reports to Sustainability Victoria at agreed milestones with evidence of expenditure, progress and performance
• provide adequate monitoring and evaluation of the Project in accordance with the funding agreement using a template provided by Sustainability Victoria
• give permission for Sustainability Victoria to share data and information from progress and final reports with government partners such as the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
• provide the ongoing and final Project monitoring and evaluation report/s to Sustainability Victoria using a template provided by Sustainability Victoria, noting that data may be aggregated and shared and applicants may be approached to share individual outcomes
• contribute to promotional activities such as video or publishable case studies and share learnings that may be published about the Project
• participate in and contribute to activities with Sustainability Victoria to distribute the findings to broader stakeholders (for example, government and industry) during and after the Sustainability Victoria funding agreement period
• acknowledge that Sustainability Victoria has contributed funding in communications related to the Project.

9. Key dates

Applications open: Monday 10 May 2021

Information session: Thursday 20 May 2021

Applications close: 11:59 pm, Friday 18 June 2021

Notification of outcome: August 2021

Funding agreements established: Within 30 days of notification of outcome

Projects commenced: After signing Sustainability Victoria funding agreement

Project completed: 30 June 2024

Note: these timelines are indicative only and may change.

10. How to apply

Applicants should review and follow these steps:

1. Read through this document, the program’s guidelines, it is particularly important to ensure your:
   1. organisation is eligible to apply (see Section 4. Who can apply?)
   2. Project meets the assessment criteria (see Section 7.1 Assessment criteria).
2. Read the terms and conditions of both Sustainability Victoria funding agreements:
   1. Funding Agreement Terms and Conditions (for funding of $50,000 or less)
   2. Funding Agreement Terms and Conditions (for funding more than $50,000)
      
      Ensure that you can meet all terms and conditions. Acceptance of these terms is required for grant funding to be provided.
3. Read and understand the Terms of Participation in Grant Programs.
4. Create an account or login and start your application on Sustainability Victoria’s SmartyGrants website.
5. Attend an information session. Although this is not a mandatory requirement, the information session will provide background on the fund and tips for completing the application form. See Section 11.1 for details on the information sessions.
6. Allow adequate time to plan, research, gather support documentation and to draft your application (save as you go on SmartyGrants). Use the Campaign Guide to assist you in preparing your application (found in the SmartyGrants application form).
7. Complete and submit your application online via SmartyGrants.
8. Complete all questions and upload supporting documents.
9. Submit your application by 11:59 pm on Friday 18 June 2021.
   1. Applications can only be submitted online (unless otherwise agreed or at Sustainability Victoria's discretion).
   2. On submission, you will receive an electronic acknowledgement receipt from SmartyGrants.
   3. Late applications will not be accepted, except under exceptional circumstances. See Terms of Participation in Grant Programs.

Tips for using SmartyGrants

11. Further information

11.1 Information session

At our information session, we will go through the Fund and provide an opportunity for potential applicants to ask questions.

Date: Thursday 20 May 2021

Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am

If you are unable to attend, a recording will be available upon request after the session.

Read our responses to questions not addressed on this page or in the guidelines on our Information bulletin page (when available).

11.2 Questions?

Email grants.enquiries@sustainability.vic.gov.au with Circular Economy Household Education Fund in the subject line.

12. Fund definitions

Campaign Materials

Materials and resources developed by Sustainability Victoria for the Circular Economy Household Education and Behaviour Change Program.

Environmental, Safety or Workplace Breach

An environmental or safety breach is any past or current prosecution, reportable incident, investigation, notice, penalty, warning, regulatory intervention or enforcement action from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Victorian WorkCover Authority (WorkSafe) or Fair Work or failure to comply with any environmental, safety and workplace laws.

Environmental and Safety Laws

Environmental and safety laws are the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, Environment Protection Act 1970 or any other legislation, regulation order, statute, by-law, ordinance or any other legislative or regulatory measure, code, standard or requirement relating to the protection and safety of persons or property or which regulate the environment including laws relating to land use planning, pollution of air or water, soil or groundwater contamination, chemicals, waste, the use, handling, storage or transport of dangerous goods or substances, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon trading, or any other aspect of protection of the environment.

Campaign Guide

Sustainability Victoria has developed the Campaign Guide to support councils and ARMBs to use the Campaign Materials to deliver the campaign in their local areas. The Campaign Guide is within the SmartyGrants application form. A more comprehensive Campaign Guide will be available later in 2021.

New Household Recycling Services

Recycling Victoria policy requires new household recycling services across the state. These are a separate glass recycling service available to all households by 2027, a food and garden organics service by 2030, and consistent bin lid colours.

Project

Delivery of the communications and engagement activities using the Campaign Materials when introducing New Household Recycling Services or transitioning to using the Campaign Materials if a 4-stream household recycling service has been delivered.

Related Person/s

Related Person means a director, officer, employee, agent, board member or contractor of the applicant or a Related Entity.

Workplace Laws

Workplace laws are the Fair Work Act 2009, or any other legislation, regulation order, statute, by-law, ordinance or any other legislative or regulatory measure, code, standard or requirement relating to the provision of fair, relevant and enforceable minimum terms and conditions for all persons and to prevent discrimination against employees.

Fund abbreviations

• ARMB – alpine resort management board
• CALD – culturally and linguistically diverse
• DEECA – Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
• FO – food organics
• FOGO – food and garden organics
• Fund – Circular Economy Household Education Fund
• GO – garden organics
• RV – Recycling Victoria
• RV policy – Recycling Victoria: A new economy
• SV – Sustainability Victoria
• WRRGs – waste and resource recovery groups