Bodhi Glow is a Wilsons Creek local farm sanctuary used to rescue and home unwanted animals. The SCCU Grant will be used to introduce Amma’s Garden, an acre of land that will be used to grow fruit and vegetables without chemicals. The produce will be used to help feed those in need in our community, with plans to run a weekly community kitchen providing free food and care packages to help people in need.
If you’d like to learn more about the work they’re already doing, head to their website here.
Georgia and Gisela are a local family who were deeply concerned about the impact our recent bushfires had on our wildlife. They wanted to do something positive and have since created beautiful watercolour art works that will be used for fundraising. The cards will be printed and sold in local businesses to raise funds to support Friends of the Koala and WIRES Northern Rivers with their great work. 80% of proceeds will be donated to the charities and 20% invested back into the project, making it self-sustainable and future focused.
GCB Environmental want to establish EnviroSPEARS as a member of the Enterprise Lab at Southern Cross University, and introduce the EnviroSPEARS technology to the Northern Rivers. EnviroSPEARS is a green technology designed for remediation of contaminants and other chlorinated toxins from soil and sediments, a proven technology developed by NASA. The EnviroSPEARS technology will support local agribusiness by providing a green alternative to remediation of previously unusable farm land by removing harmful DDT from within the soil.
Young Warrior Leadership Program is a four day camp for 11-16 year old young men and women: based on indigenous cultures – an initiation process marking the transition from child to adult. It’s a safe environment for young people to test themselves, in confidence, personal leadership, emotional literacy, and teamwork. The SCCU Grant will cover 50% of the cost, providing scholarships for up to 22 young warriors hoping to participate.
To learn more about the project click here.
Precious Plastic Northern Rivers are looking to create a community-access plastic recycling centre. Instead of going into landfill or being sent overseas, the idea is to have plastic waste recycled in the Byron Shire and provided to local designers and craftspeople as a raw material for innovative use. Turning cheap raw materials into new, beautiful and useful creations. The SCCU Grant will cover the cost of purchasing three machines that help shred, melt, and recycle plastic collected from our local region.
Pottsville Beach Community Hall Inc hosts the PBNC cook up team who collect rescued food weekly; prepare, cook and distribute healthy ‘homemade’ meals to people in need. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, without the installation of a commercial grade dishwasher for the hall, the annual Christmas lunch could not take place. However, the SCCU Grant will allow them to host the Christmas lunch this year and get the PBNC cook up team back in the kitchen.
This year saw an overwhelming response with close to 200 entries from across our region. We thank everyone who applied, voted for their favourites, and showed their support for this program. No matter the result, we encourage all who applied to share your stories with us throughout the year and look forward to your applications in 2021.
Thursday 6th August: Grants Applications Open
Wednesday 30th September: Applications Close
Tuesday 6th October: Finalists Announced and Voting opens
Friday 30th October, 5pm: Voting Closes
Monday 16th November: Recipients Announced!
All applications will need to self allocate from the categories below however we provide this to encourage ideas, and have an ”other’ categories because we understand not one size fits all.
Art and culture
Initiatives related to the celebration, preservation or ongoing impact of arts, cultural and heritage projects in the Northern Rivers and Tweed region. Example projects may include equipment, services and/or facilities such as community arts projects, restoration of items or areas with historical or cultural significance, performances.
Education
Initiatives that support imparting information or knowledge, skill sharing or improve delivery of teaching and education services. Example projects may include equipment, services and/or facilities such as teaching aides and resources, reading programs, creating access and opportunities to engage in education.
Sport and recreation
Initiatives providing sport and recreational benefit to the wider community. Example projects may include equipment, services and/or facilities such as shade for events, sporting equipment, uniforms, upgrading facilities, first aid equipment, tournaments, and training programs.
Environment and sustainability
Initiatives that focus on building awareness, preservation, engagement with and/or sustainability of the natural environment. Example projects may include equipment, services and/or facilities such as community gardens, sustainability education, restoration or care of ecosystems.
Health and well-being
Improving community access to health and well-being services. Example projects may include equipment, services and/or facilities for youth groups, mentoring programs, community health services, health education, training and development programs.
Tourism
Initiatives promoting our region as the place to holiday. Example projects include activity programs/attractions to bring tourists to the area and promote the Northern Rivers highlights, education on our region, and big name events.
Digital and Tech
Improving community access to digital and tech availability and quality in the Northern Rivers. Ideas to drive improvements, upgrades, change and aim in the betterment of our area using tech advances.
Hospitality and Retail
Initiatives enhancing community lifestyle and improvement in the hospitality and retail industries. Examples include ideas to introduce new and exciting business operations to our community.
Other
Any other ideas that do not fall into the above categories.
*We aim to make the application process simple and give every applicant an equal opportunity to produce a quality application. This includes questions to guide you through submission criteria, including category and whether you are applying under the ‘Take Back Momentum’ or ‘Create a Better Future’ themes. Within your application, you can also outline the amount you are applying for as the SCCU Grants Program provides between $1k and $20k to successful applicants, awarded amount limits stated are subject to change
While we welcome individuals, businesses, families and community groups to consider applying, unfortunately the following are ineligible for support through this program:
Additionally, the following Terms and Condition’s apply:
For more information in relation to eligibility criteria please contact us.
Reforest Now
A non-profit organisation based in Byron Bay, Reforest Now grows and plants trees to combat climate change and restore ecosystems. The Reforest Now nursery is located in the Mullumbimby Community Gardens, and grows 23,000 native Australian trees each year. The nursery is currently at maximum capacity with three tunnels, and Reforest Now will use our Community Grant to build a 4th misting house tunnel, that will increase their capacity by 100% (an additional 23,000 trees per year) to help meet the growing demand for trees to be replanted in our region.
Shedding Community Workshop
Shedding Community Workshop aims to provide a unique, supportive and ‘hands-on’ workshop environment for members of the community to come together and develop sustainable skills in carpentry, building and everything in between. A popular community workshop pilot already, this Community Grant will be used to meet the growing demand for, and provide equitable access to, a range of up-skilling workshops, inclusively benefitting all members of our community – young and old, men and women, parents and families. Our $5,000 will provide an additional 20 free community workshops, every Friday for a 5 month period, where members of our community will learn life skills, that will help create a connected, resilient and sustainable community
The S.H.I.F.T. Project
The SHIFT Kitchen at Bangalow Heritage House is a community initiative that supports women experiencing homelessness and disadvantage in the Byron Shire. It aims to increase the health and wellbeing of women by increasing their knowledge and skills in healthy cooking, and increasing their employability. Our Community Grant will introduce a hospitality employment path that will provide professional training for project participants, including Food Safety Supervisor courses and Barista Training courses, along with the equipment to provide them skills to return to the workforce.
Years of age
Australian our NZ resident
Confirmed employment
If you'd like a little extra help, call our team on 1300 360 744.
