LOCAL community groups with a mission for the betterment of their towns have help to achieve their goals.
They can apply for Greater Western Water’s 2026 Thriving Communities grants designed to empower projects that unite communities, celebrate identity and create lasting positive change across the GWW service region.
GWW General Manager Strategy and Partnerships Kessia Thomson said the grants were an opportunity for community-led ideas to thrive.
“Our region is vibrant, creative and full of passionate people who want to contribute to making it an even better place to live, work and enjoy. These grants are about giving those ideas the support they need to come to life,” Ms Thomson said.
“We have seen some wonderful projects in previous years, including the Lions Club of Riddells Creek, who created a new pollinator garden in the Lions Memorial Park Garden to attract bees and butterflies, complementing the existing sensory and Indigenous plant gardens while capturing stormwater for sustainable irrigation.”
“We are especially keen to see more applications focused on sustainable water use and caring for Country this year, so if that’s you, we encourage you to apply,” she said.
Designed to support the region’s growing and diverse population, Thriving Communities offers two levels of funding: grants of up to $5000, and grants of up to $20,000.
Grants of up to $5000 are available to grassroots organisations delivering one‑off community events, activities or place‑making projects that promote equity and inclusion.
Grants of up to $20,000 are available to non-profit organisations operating in our region for initiatives that create lasting community benefit, build local skills or support sustainable water use.
GWW, a Victorian Government corporation, provides water and recycled water supply, sewerage and trade waste services. It operates across 3700 square kilometres, including Lancefield.
Both tiers of grants require projects to be started or completed between July 1 this year and June 30 next year.
Applications for the grants are open now and close on April 22.
To find out more and to check your eligibility, visit gww.com.au/grants