Volunteering Innovation Fund
Through the Volunteering Innovation Fund, the Victorian Government is funding community-led projects that consider new ways of volunteering in and for the environment.
Parks and forests in Victoria are supported and enhanced by a host of passionate volunteers. The Volunteering Innovation Fund is building on this incredible work and inviting everyone to enjoy Victoria’s Great Outdoors through volunteering.
The Fund awarded $2million in funding over four rounds.
The Volunteering Innovation Fund is now closed.
The Youth Volunteering for Nature program is also closed.
Recipients
Parks Victoria has been thrilled to work with recipients of the Volunteering Innovation Fund on ideas that shake and change volunteering in our parks and have the freedom to thrive.
Read the success stories of our completed projects and the legacy they are leaving.
Round 1
Congratulations to the following successful applicants in round one. Read about the successful round one projects underway.
![White bird with black beak and legs, standing over smaller brown birds in the water.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-birdlife-australia-768x450.jpg?rev=d1ea5bcfa40141c6b800256a915030a1&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=FBCDB5CDA767D79004DED0D5724E88FD)
Birdlife Australia
![A woman in a rain jacket with plaited hair and a beanie looking down at a portable tablet device in front of trees and shrubs.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-threatened-species-conservancy-768x450.jpg?rev=bcdd8750c660473f849ff42f78db8aa4&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=DB2CB4A420B5D1D2E160CF4CABF61FA9)
Threatened Species Conservancy
![Pelicans and water birds gathered in the wetlands.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-warrnambool-coastcare-landcare-network-768x450.jpg?rev=92f7f13417154a14bc159e2e627e4e4c&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=5BA0B6737D45D7480661CB459EE6524F)
Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network
![Two people leaning over and looking at something in the rockpool.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-earthwatch-australia-768x450.jpg?rev=edcb58cf7c1344bbb54f3ccf443b35f8&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=149BC1234188AC7B168128073717DC12)
Earthwatch Australia
![A split view above and below the water at sunset.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-victorian-national-parks-association-rye-768x450.jpg?rev=e8ac25b31c404461bc44b80a607a0d15&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=747D4813910009C1A28AE31757094EB7)
Victorian National Parks Association
![A group of people surveying the grassy landscape.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-nature-glenelg-trust-768x450.jpg?rev=cf28b1a356d04f39a4e08d09e18f53ed&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=89B6A1BB8262E37031EE84F92FE1C2B8)
Nature Glenelg Trust
![Three adults and a child standing, surrounded by bush.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-friends-of-ocean-grove-nature-reserve-768x450.jpg?rev=da7fad1dd07b4d3ba5e6631be215cc4b&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=D359092DE49C07DE039E2B889083B44B)
Friends of Ocean Grove Nature Reserve
headspace Early Psychosis
![Overhead view of a yellow teapot and cups of tea on a colourful tablecloth.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-bush-connections-768x450.jpg?rev=81089fee79904e2fba42b6918d218b43&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=B74F204839048069CA8C9F47DEFBAA57)
Bush Connections
![People wearing hi-vis vests, safety hats and equipment on a forest path surrounded by plants and trees.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-bushwalking-victoria-768x450.jpg?rev=f459776f02f045c389e9ab3700e9664d&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=7C36173CA759E1309A0BAE74333438BD)
Bushwalking Victoria
![Hooded plovers under shelter in the sand.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-friends-of-the-hooded-plover-768x450.jpg?rev=a0f98066e5e44c17af57b830696ce4d9&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=C58B82D2187224617B928DB06514A10D)
Friends of the Hooded Plover, Bass Coast
![Ferns, trees and plants.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-community-weed-alliance-of-the-dandenongs-768x450.jpg?rev=5416946f9f4642a694f6c0d0966eaa52&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=04599BC4F97E441D28ECCFE0E29334A9)
Community Weed Alliance of the Dandenongs
![A koala in a tree.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-mornington-peninsula-koala-conservation-768x450.jpg?rev=2d71d037ff504526bc0f117abca5c425&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=AAF5F7B9F42E2FEB23602190D7DE069F)
Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation
![An uphill forest path between trees and plants.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-the-scout-association-of-australia-victorian-branch-768x450.jpg?rev=f7e2fa5b181c41288c982e91c1ba32ac&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=50DE5322CE2A1A0CD7C44530CDA29830)
The Scout Association of Australia, Victoria Branch
![People walking in small groups down a grassy hill.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-connecting-country-768x450.jpg?rev=211ebb37d1264d58951e8d3317c90921&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=52015F0708FE3C5206C61D060EA27307)
Connecting Country
![People kneeling on the ground, planting trees.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-friends-of-the-helmeted-honeyeater-768x450.jpg?rev=313ef15341ad4f08b76a4f61eaf056e9&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=B21D00DC1FF0F558682220407F35ADF1)
Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater
![A group of five female friends hugging and posing on the beach.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-lord-somers-camp-and-power-house-768x450.jpg?rev=397d239bf15e43228225c9680df8ee46&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=6AF5F55C2996EAEABEE0395689BE6FA3)
Lord Somers Camp and Power House
![A group of smiling adults and kids with a Parks Victoria ranger posing between planted trees.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-roots-and-shoots-australia-768x450.jpg?rev=e9569597807b4f818287600f53813756&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=F7C639A0A27FBC2700D72C808FD689B1)
Jane Goodalls’ Roots and Shoots Australia
![Two women paused in their tree planting work on a grassy hill.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-1-recipients/vif-round-1-parklands-albury-wodonga-limited-768x450.jpg?rev=f26ac935ed0240418b435980891f2816&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=83A144272DFFB589C9FB5C9BF6E59929)
Parklands Albury Wodonga
Round 2
Congratulations to the following successful applicants in round two. Read about the successful round two projects underway.
![A river flowing between bush and farm land.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-southern-otway-landcare-network-768x450.jpg?rev=62229f712f8b4b18b2989e829586fcb6&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=A5DA2F344D87D5303004064535ED23D0)
Southern Otway Landcare Network
![Close up of an owl in a tree in daylight.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-westgate-biodiversity-bili-nursery-and-landcare-768x450.jpg?rev=b90a1d6c5e8f4361bbe0da8b600c5fc5&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=1CA77D5DCCDE1737B84840D950DD224E)
Westgate Biodiversity: Bili Nursery and Landcare
![A tree growing among rocks with a river in the background.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-merri-creek-management-committee-768x450.jpg?rev=6ca2acba17c34bafb7d4284507c5f471&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=6C442520DDFC4A10590E99D761F3FA37)
Merri Creek Management Committee
![Collage of images of people working and gathered outdoors.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-horseshoe-bend-community-garden-group-768x450.jpg?rev=65f8b67ed93a4526b8dd30805058ae5c&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=A46B03279E55B1B6CDF3EAB3C5D299BF)
Horseshoe Bend Community Garden Group
![A top-down view of a person holding a tray of seedlings.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-cairnlea-conservation-reserves-committee-of-management-768x450.jpg?rev=d9869f06cf1f46268dc61c94cbc03384&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=C8450935F75ABBBDDFF639805DFE4FE6)
Cairnlea Conservation Reserves Committee of Management
![Community members and rangers gathered and working in a garden.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-werribee-park-farm-community-hub-768x450.jpg?rev=5c8a9526ae02438e8ec173b7c9df83fc&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=AC86D2B0A3E8B7EE1F21C0DBA589783C)
Werribee Park Farm Community Hub
![Members of The Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-friends-of-terrick-terrick-768x450.jpg?rev=d9fc7a04e7404a26b17efb1b5acce7ad&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=085869A4666313C04E0CD58190A5D986)
The Friends of the Terrick Terrick National Park
![Close up of a seated person wearing native animal fur and holding a carved wooden tool in their hands.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-connecting-to-country-program-768x450.jpg?rev=2a7c165d2140480cb8b1a8573e21772a&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=34FD45BB5C276EE2CA0623A53DB1EA86)
Connecting to Country
![Two children and a man planting trees using shovels.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-friends-of-newlands-reserve-768x450.jpg?rev=725b8addc3da4705aa7d0f7848a2a91c&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=EEA649D63325AFB069314C3EEA6FEC97)
Friends of Newlands Reserve
![A person standing in front of an alpine hut with 3D modelling camera equipment.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-victorian-high-country-huts-association-768x450.jpg?rev=66880b676c1044b0b0abce494437b9d3&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=3182B13E4E4FDD6E460C9C3475281362)
Victorian High Country Huts Association
![Split image featuring a possum on a branch at night time on the left and a Swift Parrot clinging to a leafy branch in daylight on the right.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-biolinks-alliance-768x450.jpg?rev=53056d05c18646a491ce1e1621298d47&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=90EAA4AB69CEB2EF92674BE2F3209557)
Biolinks Alliance
![Two women wearing dark glasses reaching out and touching leaves on a tree with their hands.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-2-recipients/vif-round-2-blind-sports-and-recreation-victoria-768x450.jpg?rev=c2ed1d4593234f7c94efd8345ab8ac35&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=E0EBC9869D72509BA1D053A15C831AD7)
Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria
Round 3
Congratulations to the following successful applicants in round three. Read about the successful Round 3 projects underway.
![Two women and a man in exercise clothing and gloves standing on grass, holding bags of collected rubbish.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/for-wild-places-768x450.jpg?rev=d1bf4a94e3b84446a1880cbdfefe251d&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=FE89AD6DA97EA4A589044243A8FBB670)
For Wild Places
![A group of people sitting and watching while a standing man gestures in front of a projected presentation.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/threatened-species-conservancy-protecting-the-otways--threatened-birds-768x450.jpg?rev=337693607c4745b8872c88703e1a7333&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=D3C4CA44C3EB52DE4442B8006FE3EE59)
Threatened Species Conservancy
![Four people in hi-visibility vests standing and crouching in long grass looking down at the ground.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/whittlesea-community-connections-768x450.jpg?rev=978ff459bf4b4579a51c56064bbc34c0&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=70B9D3B1C288A6F6F142DC05A8ABA18B)
Whittlesea Community Connections
![A person in a helmet and pink safety vest rides a TrioBike, with another person sitting on the padded seat of the TrioBike holding two thumbs up, while two smiling and helmeted women stand next to the TrioBike.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/rushworth-cycling-768x450.jpg?rev=297bbdf0e8584dadb57aa8fc8834ce3a&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=CBE0EAB4756EBD1BFA809C57D77DF76F)
Rushworth Events Inc.
![A group of people wearing backpacks walking along a path through vegetation towards water in the background.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/out-doors-inc-768x450.jpg?rev=6967da17b02f4ae7bfc0cc429a01a4ec&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=14D3E297AB6A4C983FEC525C2D5B3302)
Out Doors Inc.
![Five birds grouped together on a tree branch.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/loddon-plains-landcare-network-768x450.jpg?rev=18f1bcc61d924ef5b460cc62ee768040&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=8E2DFE31E4FC2331B25B08D8E5A8F65F)
Loddon Plains Landcare Network
![Colourfully decorated upright logs of wood, with a bird mural on the wall of a structure in the background.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/phillip-island-nature-parks-768x450.jpg?rev=855a6af715fa4663b0c5bef911120283&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=BC4E193A404905FEB9433ADBEAF4F683)
Philip Island Nature Parks
![Two men smiling at the camera while shoveling a pile of gravel, with groups of people and tree saplings in the background.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/wyntree-nursery-768x450.jpg?rev=a9a8292cbcf548b486d572e9105a7d84&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=DDD60F39C6D17366EDA4ADF4E4C8A6E7)
Canopy Accelerator Co-operative Limited
![A group of people standing under a bridge, listening to a presenter, with a graffiti wall in the background.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/yarra-river-keepers-768x450.jpg?rev=3d1e5ac0e5cf422c8a114e463592647b&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=38185969C8A3AB3DC5A03242C5E71900)
Yarra Riverkeeper Association Inc.
![A fenced area of grass and trees.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/collingwood-childrens-farm-768x450.jpg?rev=e0471d1b133448169cdda164f0b161c8&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=C4753F2804D540311A9379D8E30D776E)
Collingwood Children’s Farm
![People in safety vests digging and transporting soil with a train station and train in the background.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/glenbervie-stationeers-768x450.jpg?rev=c6c1ab570c86429ca17467ba833b6af8&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=326B534469E24FE7F9949C7002797E06)
Glenbervie Stationeers
![A woman in sunglasses stands next to a track sign holding a cordless drill.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/growling-grass-frog-768x450.jpg?rev=06cabe094bbe480a9c43779c981e6d5e&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=143F9EBB97F24612A44963E90C2D2593)
Growling Grass Frog Inc.
![](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/volunteering-innovation-fund-placeholder-768x450.jpg?rev=bfd81cd54e5742c59dbd1dcf7075b6ee&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=65460FAED09A1AB9D89D419EC11F32E9)
Span Community House
![](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/volunteering-innovation-fund-placeholder-768x450.jpg?rev=bfd81cd54e5742c59dbd1dcf7075b6ee&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=65460FAED09A1AB9D89D419EC11F32E9)
Friends of Kooyoora Inc.
![A man in a straw hat standing in the long grass and looking down at the video equipment he is holding.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/the-grassy-plains-network-768x450.jpg?rev=7d15e7b3adaf4ccab6a13385783e3c1f&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=A523F5A8BBF2C242B5CB94A95390E39B)
The Grassy Plains Network
![Woman looking down at a phone against a background of trees and sunlight.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/earthwatch-institute-australia-768x450.jpg?rev=e52400bfe4054e828aa830a1e5e7e00e&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=B3C923E5B2AE1308CE95A3722ABE22DC)
Earthwatch Institute Australia
![Two people with cameras filming an older woman sitting on a park bench, with a group of people gathered in the background.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/friends-of-mount-worth-state-park-768x450.jpg?rev=f407890eb1fd4cfbb633b0cee2059248&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=45F0ABF9BB21F454E28A83205077ECBA)
Friends of Mount Worth State Park
![Two women and a man crouched on the sand surveying and collecting samples, with a trolley of supplies in the background, and a woman taking notes on a clipboard in the foreground.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/port-phillip-eco-centre-768x450.jpg?rev=e02a8ae5c0c64641b8676f5063538b51&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=6AD6B3AF4CFD58CB1EC4CFC8353596F7)
Port Philip EcoCentre
![A group of people standing in a forest, listening to a presenter.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/mycommunity-applied-mycology-768x450.jpg?rev=ea0d1441c0734582a3a3baaf98b7337c&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=8CB97C98FC1ECCFE73A9C6CAAB53E3FF)
MYCOmmunity Applied Mycology Inc
![Person in pink hi-vis safety vest and orange safety helmet standing under and surveying a tree.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/eco-warriors-rediscovering-projects-past-768x450.jpg?rev=ccecbb2f174e479e8dc33e8050915e0d&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=145C0D201AFA14D630361F5209DB6C02)
Eco Warriors Inc
![A group walking along a path between trees and vegetation.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/friends-of-bunyip-state-park-768x450.jpg?rev=cc30c475e42a493090546eb3583ab8bc&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=14DF3015C1C002351B5CD456973C2479)
Friends of Bunyip State Park
![Cape Beach Daisy on sand dunes.](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/round-3-recipients/belfast-coastal-reserve-action-group-cape-beach-daisy-768x450.jpg?rev=189786dfc10d4f3e9f488560d4048322&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=E9440C34CB344BC769E70241BDD47142)
Belfast Coast Reserve Action Group
Round 4
Congratulations to the following successful applicants in round four. Read about the successful Round 4 projects underway.
![](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/volunteering-innovation-fund-placeholder-768x450.jpg?rev=bfd81cd54e5742c59dbd1dcf7075b6ee&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=65460FAED09A1AB9D89D419EC11F32E9)
Southern Ocean Environmental Link
![](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/volunteering-innovation-fund-placeholder-768x450.jpg?rev=bfd81cd54e5742c59dbd1dcf7075b6ee&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=65460FAED09A1AB9D89D419EC11F32E9)
Michael Amor
![](/-/media/project/pv/main/parks/images/corporate-site/volunteering/volunteering-innovation-fund/volunteering-innovation-fund-placeholder-768x450.jpg?rev=bfd81cd54e5742c59dbd1dcf7075b6ee&la=en&h=450&w=768&hash=65460FAED09A1AB9D89D419EC11F32E9)
Wonyip Landcare Group
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Australasian Native Orchid Society - Victorian Group
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Trustee for Nature Glenelg Trust
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Friends of the Hooded Plover Victoria
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Buloke and Northern Grampians Landcare Network
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Bendigo Family Nature Club
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Landcare Western Port Catchment Network
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BirdLife Australia
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Deakin University
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Prom Coast Ecolink
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The Basalt to Bay Landcare Network Inc.
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OzFish Unlimited
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Darebin Creek Management Committee
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Rejoice Community Centre
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Accelerated Evolution - The Break Inc.
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Wedderburn Conservation Management Network
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Remember The Wild LTD
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Friends of Bannockburn Bush
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Strathbogie Ranges Conservation Management Network
FAQs
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What is the Volunteering Innovation Fund?
The Volunteering Innovation Fund is part of the Victoria’s Great Outdoors program, which seeks to get more Victorians, from all walks of life outdoors enjoying nature.
The Volunteering Innovation Fund aligns with two important Strategies;
Protecting Victoria’s Environment - Biodiversity 2037
Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 is the Victorian State Government’s policy response to addressing the decline in biodiversity. The Biodiversity Plan presents a long-term vision for Victoria’s biodiversity supported by two goals:
1. Victorians Value Nature, and
2. Victoria’s natural environment is healthy.
Specific targets have been developed to deliver on these goals, and 20 priorities have been identified to guide actions. Conservation actions delivered through the plan will be more strategic, deliver better value for money and will be underpinned by the best available science to ensure efforts deliver the most benefit for the most species.
Victorians Volunteering for Nature - Environmental Volunteering Plan
Supporting, improving and expanding the environmental volunteering sector in Victoria will contribute directly to the vision and goals of Biodiversity 2037. Of particular relevance is the target of five million Victorians acting to protect the natural environment by 2037.
The Volunteering Innovation Fund aims to inspire ideas and fuel innovation by funding community-led projects that consider new ways of volunteering in and for the environment to help reach this target.
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What will applications be assessed against?
All applications will be assessed at the conclusion of each round by a panel of assessors on the following criteria:
- • 40% Innovation: how innovative is the project?
- • 30% Volunteerism: does it address the 'Victorians Volunteering for Nature Environmental Volunteering Plan'?
- • 20% Merit: what are the overarching benefits of the project?
- • 10% Legacy: will the project leave a legacy?
As part of the Volunteerism criteria, projects must address one or more of the following ‘Victorians Volunteering for Nature, Environmental Volunteering Plan’ Key Focus Areas:
Sustain
- • Increase the number of volunteers participating for the first time
- • Support existing volunteer groups to retain, support and grow volunteering
- • Develop sustainable models of volunteering
- • Improve volunteer management
Expand
- • Increase the number and diversity of people volunteering in our parks and forests
- • Develop new and innovative approaches to volunteering
- • Expand volunteering opportunities into areas currently not offered
- • Enhance inclusivity and accessibility to volunteers and visitors
Value
- • Celebrate volunteering
- • Promote the benefits of volunteering
Understand
- • Identify and encourage new volunteer partnerships
- • Understand more about environmental volunteering
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Where can projects be located?
Projects must be conducted on and/or benefit Crown land within Victoria. Projects conducted on private and council land/reserves/estates are not eligible.
Projects can be conducted on and/or benefit both Crown land and other parcels of land, for example: a volunteering event with bus transfers which includes volunteering activities on Crown land and driving the volunteers somewhere else, such as a lunch venue.
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If I run an existing program, can it receive funding as part of the Volunteering Innovation Fund?
Yes, we are encouraging existing volunteers and volunteer organisations to apply. All applications will be assessed against the same criteria.
Applications need to demonstrate innovation and align with the Victorians Volunteering for Nature Environmental Volunteering Plan as well as show merit, and overarching benefits. Existing volunteer programs may demonstrate these things by expanding and diversifying their volunteer base in creative ways, offering more diverse volunteer experiences (such as one-day opportunities rather than ongoing memberships) etc.
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What projects won’t be funded?
The following projects are ineligible:
• Projects already underway
• Projects conducted on private land/reserves/estates
• Projects that will cause harm
• Projects conducted on council land/reserves/estates
• Capital Works projects
• Projects that require a Cultural heritage Management Plan
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Where can I learn more?
We’re here to help and want to make sure applying for funding is easy. There is a wealth of information on ParkConnect to support people and organisations wishing to apply for funding through the Volunteering Innovation Fund. This includes fact sheets, funding guidelines, and video tutorials.