Round 3 of the Circular Economy Business Support Fund supports individual organisations and Collaborative Partnerships with projects that improve the capability and capacity of Victorian industry to identify, implement, commercialise, and scale circular solutions.
These projects prevent, minimise or eliminate waste and pollution and keep products or materials in use - at their highest value - for longer.
Projects must improve the environmental outcomes of products, services, industries, supply chains or systems and contribute to Victoria’s transition to a Circular Economy.
Projects must contribute to 2 or more of the following outcomes:
Avoidance of waste materials to any waste or Recycling destination.
Creation of new circular products and services.
Increase employment through direct creation of jobs
Increase capacity to extend the useable life of products
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Improve capacity of industry for acting on sustainability.
Applicants must contribute at least $1 for every $2 funded by Sustainability Victoria (1:2 Co-contribution).
Co-contributions can be either financial (cash) or In-kind.
At least 80% of the Co-contribution must be cash contribution.
Other grants cannot be used for Co-contribution.
Co-contributions must be for eligible activities (refer to 2.3 What will be funded).
All projects must:
meet all regulatory or planning requirements within 6 months of receiving funding
ensure at least 50% of project activities are implemented in Victoria
be completed by 15 December 2024.
Project types include:
identification and development
implementation, commercialisation and scaling
training and development programs for industry
Project activities can include (but not limited to):
activation of waste-avoidance solutions in published industry/business-focused action plans and roadmaps
baseline studies to understand issues and opportunities for circularity (e.g., in businesses or industries)
waste audits and Circular economy supply chain mapping
challenge-based projects (e.g., hackathons)
developing, delivering or accessing Circular economy assessment tools or services (e.g., life cycle assessment)
developing, delivering or accessing Circular economy advisory services
delivering a campaign focused on increasing transparency and awareness of Circular economy in businesses
facilitate networking and collaboration focused on Circular Economy business opportunities
establishing or expanding activities in a Circular economy business focused group or cluster
delivering Circular economy training to Businesses
rolling out business-led product stewardship initiatives/programs in Victoria (not Recycling)
financial and non-financial assessments (e.g., CBA, ROI, SROI)
large scale pilots, trials, and demonstrations
business case development and cost-benefit analysis
purchasing, installing and commissioning infrastructure, plant and equipment or other assets
designing and delivering promotional content for new products and services
developing and delivering capability building for Businesses (e.g., training, education, innovation services)
startup incubators and accelerator programs
developing and launching a website, application, or digital platform
Lead Applicants must be one of the following eligible organisation types:
Businesses (Commercial for-profit)
Social Enterprises (must be currently registered with Social Traders or prove accreditation before entering into a funding agreement)
Industry groups and associations (also known as an industry trade association, Business association, sector association or industry body, is an organisation founded and funded by Businesses that operate in a specific industry)
Charities and other not-for-profits that are listed on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) charity register
Current Cooperative Research Centres
Current Rural Research and Development Corporations
Project costs must be directly related to the project and can only include:
new or existing staff costs (such as salaries) that are demonstrated to be directly related to the project
consultants
contractor services
marketing, advertising, promotion
market research and surveys
venue and equipment hire (including access to innovation labs and services)
legal costs (such as costs to obtain IP)
printing
design and copywriting
installation and commissioning
freight
project management costs
capital purchases/assets (infrastructure, plant, and equipment)
purchase of specialised vehicles (e.g., front-end loaders, forklifts) where equipment is integral for the project to occur, and the Applicant demonstrates they are unable to proceed with the project without funding for the vehicle.
CEMAC technologies can support businesses through the application process in consulting, engineering and project management.
Call us on (03) 8400 6066 for assistance.