South East Water Community Grants program opens applications for 2023. Find out how your group can apply:

A grant program offering $10k to community groups has opened up and Cranbourne groups are urged to apply. Here’s how.

Dandenong West Primary School was part of Bluearth's 'Active Schools' program – one of the 2022 recipients of South East Water's community grant program. Applications are open for 2023 community groups to apply for the $10,000 grants. Image: supplied.

Community groups in Melbourne’s southeast could win access to $10,000 to fund a range of initiatives.

The 2023 Community Grants program run by South East Water is taking pitches for projects that make a positive difference to their local communities.

The grant program has been running for the past four years, and has so far given more than $220,000 to 50 groups spread across the region, including groups that support vulnerable community members, groups making positive and healthier changes to the environment, projects that help people be more active and connected, and projects that highlight positive water and water use education.

Last year, the grant program supported 16 community groups with a versatile range of projects, including the Pakenham SES rescue equipment project and water safety sessions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place.

Another winning organisation was Bluearth, a not-for-profit organisation that encourages and helps primary school students to be active.

The Bluearth ‘Active Schools’ program used the $10,000 grant to improve students’ levels of physical activity and mental health through ‘movement and mindfulness’ workshops.

The Active Schools program was implemented into four primary schools across Melbourne’s southeast, including Dandenong West Primary School, South Melbourne Park Primary School, Clarinda Primary School in Oakleigh and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, also in Oakleigh.

Bluearth coach Ryan Stone said the grant had played a massive part in being able to extend the Active Schools program

“Active Schools plays a significant role in promoting healthier, happier, more cohesive school communities,” he said.

“We’re very grateful to have received the grant that enabled us to support so many students’ physical, social and mental wellbeing.”

South East Water general manager in service delivery Simon Willis, said he was proud the grants were making such a positive impact on the southeastern communities.

Applications are open for eligible community groups across the South East Water service region and close on Friday, April 21 at 5pm.

You can find out if your group, organisation or project are eligible for a grant here.

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