Open Call for Waste Prevention and Innovation Grants (Australia)

The Waste Prevention and Innovation Grants program offers up to $5,000 per project for community-led initiatives in Bega Valley Shire that reduce waste, prevent litter, tackle illegal dumping, and promote sustainable practices. Delivered for applicants in Bega Valley Shire, the program funds practical initiatives that help reduce waste, improve resource recovery, prevent litter and illegal dumping, and build stronger local awareness around sustainability. This funding stream replaces earlier programs such as the Community Waste Minimisation Program and Waste Wise Events grants, creating a more streamlined approach to supporting impactful waste-related projects.

The program is a small grants initiative designed to support local organizations, institutions, and businesses that want to test or deliver projects that improve waste outcomes in the community. It focuses on community-driven waste solutions across five priority areas: Prevention, Minimisation, Diversion, Education, and Innovation.

Eligible projects include installing anti-dumping signage or CCTV in hotspots, hosting waste reduction or composting workshops, creating public art installations focused on waste awareness, establishing community collection points for recycling schemes, and trialling new waste diversion or behavior-change initiatives.