Native Forest Transition: Community Small Grants Fund Round 2

Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants are required to meet the following criteria to be eligible:

• Proposal must be delivered within, or propose outcomes within, the native forestry regions.
• Have an Australian Company number (ACN) or Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Be a legal entity that can enter into a legally binding funding agreement with the Western Australian Government.
• Be a solvent Western Australian based business or organisation.
• Hold Public Liability Insurance ($10 million per claim) at the time of execution of the funding agreement. Depending on the nature of the proposal, additional insurance coverage may be required.

Ineligible Organisations

The following organisations are not eligible to apply:

• State or Federal Government Authorities/Agencies.
• Government Trading Enterprises (GTE).
• Individuals without an ABN.
• Trusts or partnerships that are unable to enter into a FAA with the State Government. (A trustee may apply on behalf of a trust where it meets the eligibility requirements set out above).

Ineligible Activities

The following activities are not eligible for funding:

• Activities already funded under CSGF Round 1.
• Retrospective and contingency costs.
• Salaries/employment. The intention of the grant is to provide support to well-planned proposal, not to cover salaries/wages that are unsustainable in the longer term. As such applicants:
  • Cannot apply for funding to cover salaries/wages to deliver the services or programs.
  • Cannot apply for funding to cover grant administration.
• Religious activities (although welfare and community service activities of faith-based groups can be funded).
• Operational costs:
  • Costs associated with the operation of the proposal will not be considered. This includes stock/inventory, rent, insurance, payroll, marketing, stationery and telephone, power & water usage.
  • On-going operational costs (e.g. operating overheads and office costs such as rent, insurance, telephone, etc.) and facility maintenance that doesn’t increase/expand community vibrancy would be deemed to be an on-going operational cost.
  • Core business costs including software associated with normal administrative functions, recruitment or legal activities.

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with JTSI. The funding agreement will be negotiated with the successful applicants and should be finalised within 12 weeks of the funding offer.

If an agreement cannot be negotiated within this time frame, the funding offer may be withdrawn.

The funding agreement must be signed by both the proponent and an authorised government representative before the funded activities can commence.

Payments will be made electronically into the applicant’s nominated bank account. Recipients are required to submit a Baseline Report and Progress Report(s), demonstrating progress against the key milestones, deliverables and outcomes of the funded proposal.

Recipients may also be required to provide annual company and financial reports upon request. All specific items to be acquitted will be identified in the funding agreement.

All recipients will be required to submit a post-completion evaluation report assessing the success of the funded proposal in meeting its stated objectives and outcomes over the agreed period.

A Monitoring and Evaluation Plan will be developed by JTSI and reporting requested from applicants to ensure key metrics from applications are delivered.

If a recipient of funding fails to comply with any requirements in the funding agreement, the applicant may be required to repay some or all of the CSGF funding received.

Tax Information

Grants paid under the CSGF are not regarded as payment for a supply to JTSI. Therefore, JTSI will not increase the grant to include GST.

We recommend you seek independent professional advice on your taxation obligations or seek assistance from the Australian Taxation Office. JTSI does not provide taxation advice.

Confidentiality

JTSI will treat all information provided as confidential and commercial-in confidence where relevant.

Personal information and disclosure

JTSI may collect personal information for the purposes of administration and evaluation of an application. If the relevant information is not provided by applicants, JTSI and the State Government assessment panel will be unable to assess the application for funding.

Information from the application may be disclosed to other Western Australian Government agencies and may be published on the JTSI website, provided disclosure is consistent with relevant privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988. Personal information will be used and stored in accordance with Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) set out in the Privacy Act 1988. 

In order for an application to be assessed by the State, the applicant must submit a complete application electronically through the Native Forestry Transition online Smarty Grants portal at: nft.smartygrants.com.au/CSGFR2 on or before the application closing time.

Receipt of the application will be determined by the date and time shown that the complete application is electronically submitted. Lodgement of electronic files may take time and the applicant must make their own assessment of the time required for full transmission of their application.

JTSI and the South West Development Commission (SWDC) are working together to deliver the grant program. The SWDC NFT team are available to assist with enquiries, discuss projects, assist with proposal development, review draft applications and provide feedback.  They can be contacted on 9777 1555 or NFTEnquiries@swdc.wa.gov.au

Apply

Proposals are scored against three assessment criteria as outlined within the table below:

Assessment Criteria 1 – Alignment with Grant Objectives

This is an assessment of the positive outcomes the proposal will deliver in alignment with the program objectives. Applicants must demonstrate a clear vision for the proposal, an overview of the proposal features, the intended target market and how it will deliver a positive outcome within the community and/or local economy. This includes demonstrating what problem or opportunity is being addressed by the proposal and the enduring impact it will have.

Applicants must articulate specific outcomes and targets of the proposal and how these will be measured. A positive outcome must be demonstrated through a community and/or economic impact.

Positive outcomes on the local economy can be demonstrated through economic outcomes on the local or regional economy through:

• Increased business activity and/or growth.
• Increased efficiencies and productivity.
• Creation of new industry or growth within industry.
• Diversified revenue streams.
• New local supply chains.
• Innovation/ technology adoption.
• Long term job creation and/ or local skill development.
• Entrepreneurship development.
• Increased attraction of investment.
• Increased attraction of visitation.

Positive outcomes on the local community can be demonstrated through community outcomes on the local or regional community from:

• Enhanced social capital and infrastructure that meet community needs.
• Increased community engagement and empowerment.
• Cultural enrichment and the promotion and preservation of heritage.
• Improved environmental sustainability and conservation of natural resources.
• Improved quality of life, community safety and improved health and wellbeing.
• Improved positive reputation of communities and the region.
• Educational advancements.
• Increased adaptability and resilience of communities including for vulnerable populations.

Assessment Criteria 2 – Positive Impact within the Native Forestry Region

This an assessment of the effectiveness of the proposal to address a demonstrated need and/or opportunity within a native forestry community. Proposals will be assessed on their merit through demonstration of the following:

• Need for the proposal in relation to the local community.
• Relevant stakeholder engagement.
• Beneficiaries of the proposal.
• Challenges and opportunities.
• Market research and analysis.
• Identification of risks and mitigation.
• Local comparative advantages.
• Building local capabilities.

There is also an assessment weighting towards proposals that are within the most impacted local government areas as outlined in the table below.
 

Assessment Criteria 3 – Capability

This is an assessment of the capability and capacity of the applicant to deliver the proposal within the specified timeframe. This includes providing confidence that the applicant possesses:

• Suitable skills, abilities, resources and expertise to deliver the proposal.
• Suitable financial, governance and project management structures.
• A proposal that is ready to be delivered with clear timelines and milestones.
• Relevant financial, governance and delivery experience.

A multi-agency assessment panel will be established to assess the CSGF applications.

Prior to an application being assessed by the assessment panel, JTSI will undertake a preliminary assessment of the eligibility criteria. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be reviewed by the assessment panel.

JTSI will refer eligible applications to a third party for confidential and independent due diligence, and depending on the nature of the application, technical assessment.

The assessment panel will review and score all eligible applications based on the assessment criteria. The panel will shortlist applications to make recommendations for funding to the Minister for Forestry. The assessment panel will be overseen by a probity officer to ensure that the meeting is held with proper conduct and that any real, perceived or potential conflicts of interest are managed appropriately.

The Minister for Forestry makes the final decision on funding.
 

Step by Step Process

These steps outline the CSGF process.

1. CSGF Round 2 opens – Wednesday 28 February 2024.
    
2. Applicant reviews grant documentation, prepares application and lodges before close date.
    
3. CSGF Round 2 closes – Midday Wednesday 24 April 2024.
    
4. JTSI undertakes a compliance assessment. Applicants deemed ineligible will not proceed.
    
5. Eligible applications referred to a third party for due diligence.
    
6. JTSI to undertake assessment of applications and prepare an assessment summary report.
    
7. JTSI to send all eligible applications and the assessment summary report to the assessment panel for assessment.
    
8. Assessment panel assesses applications for recommendation of funding.
    
9. JTSI refers the recommended projects to the Minister for Forestry for final decision.
    
10. Minister makes final funding decisions and announces successful applicants. JTSI will notify non-successful applicants and provide general feedback.
     
11. Successful applicants and JTSI negotiate and execute funding agreement.
     
12. JTSI will disburse awarded funding based on negotiated milestones in funding agreements.