Main photo for Round Two

The Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens grants program is an initiative of the Victorian Government to enhance the botanic gardens across Victoria with grants to eligible gardens and projects.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is delivering the grants program to assist botanic garden managers to adapt to climate change, maintain valuable plant collections, improve amenities for the community and support local tourism development.

The program will:

  • Rejuvenate Victoria’s botanic gardens by upgrading and enhancing the physical assets and amenities of the gardens and by growing the gardens’ important role in research, conservation and education.
  • Address the risks posed by climate related rainfall and temperature changes.
  • Support practical community action for Victoria’s botanic gardens.
  • Improve public amenity and create lasting and visible improvement.
  • Foster greater enjoyment of the environment.
  • Assist botanic gardens to be innovative in meeting increased visitation and changing community needs.

Key dates

Second and final Round Two 2020

  • Applications closed 16 July 2020

What funding is available?

In total, the available funding for the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens grants program is approximately $4 million over two years (2019 and 2020).

  • Grants between $20,000 to $300,000 will be awarded.
  • Projects must be completed no later than end of March in the second year following grant award.
  • Complex or multi-phased projects may be eligible to apply to more than one grant round.
  • Applications must demonstrate some contribution; either financial or in-kind, not necessarily equivalent to the amount of grant funding sought.

Who can apply?

The program will be open to botanic garden managers with not-for-profit objectives such as local councils, committees of management and trusts. Other groups eligible for funding include community and not-for-profit organisations associated with botanic gardens. Because the focus of the program is on assisting smaller regional and metropolitan botanic gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens (Melbourne and Cranbourne) is not participating in the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens grants program.

What type of projects might be funded?

The following types of activities and projects are eligible for funding:

  • Upgrades that respond to risks to tree collections and plantings posed by climate change.
  • Activities that develop, guide and promote the scientific and horticultural functions of botanic gardens.
  • Initiatives that foster the enhancement of botanic gardens with indigenous or culturally and linguistically diverse collections and connections.
  • Initiatives that foster the development or enhancement of records and collections management, including training and capacity building opportunities.
  • Activities that support future-proofing initiatives that address botanical, conservation and heritage needs, including required conservation, irrigation or structural works.
  • Initiatives that promote sustainable use of resources such as reduced energy or water use, and adaptive water management practices.
  • Activities that support enhancements and accessibility to community assets such as plantings, gardens, picnic facilities, trails and nature play areas, catering to visitors including local, indigenous and culturally diverse communities.
  • Initiatives that deliver increased community understanding and appreciation of botanic garden values including therapeutic and well- being benefits, heritage conservation, biodiversity, ‘garden to table’ opportunities and connections to indigenous or culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
  • Collaborations and partnerships between stakeholders such as friends and community groups and including indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Successful grants Round Two

The second and final round for the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens grants program closed on 16 July 2020. Successful recipients of Round Two grants have been announced. For information on the successful Round Two projects refer to the document link below.

Successful grants Round One

The first round for the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens grants program closed on 7 August 2019. Successful recipients of Round One grants have been announced. For information on the successful Round One projects refer to the document link below.

Resources for Successful Applicants

All successful applicants will need to enter into a Victorian Common Funding Agreement (VCFA) with DELWP.

It is recommended that you read the Example Funding Agreement and the Funding Agreement Standard Terms and Conditions.

Throughout the course of your funded project, you will need to report back to DELWP regarding timelines, progress and expenditure via Grants Online https://delwp1.force.com/.

Can I get feedback on my grant application?

Yes, contact the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens grants team on:

☎  Phone: (03) 8624 5729
✉  Email: botanicgardens@delwp.vic.gov.au

Page last updated: 20/08/21