Lead-Educate-Assist-Promote Grants Program (Australia)

LEAP Grants support industry sectors, business groups and supply chains to drive a more resource efficient, sustainable and circular economy for SA.

Grants are available for industry associations, peak industry bodies, registered business groups, and organisations that play a key role in supply chains to:

• LEAD by sharing the vision and inspiring businesses to embrace circular and sustainability principles and practices
• EDUCATE by providing information, developing resources, and raising awareness
• ASSIST by providing one-on-one, tailored support for select businesses as well as shared learning opportunities
• PROMOTE success through workshops, networking events, case studies, awards and recognition programs

Funding Information

• Up to $100,000 (maximum $50,000 per fiscal year) per applicant.

What will they fund?

• Projects that:
  • target a specific industry sector, group of businesses, or supply chain
  • are driven by business/industry demand (i.e. a demonstrated need for the initiative and evidence that the target audience is willing to participate in project delivery)
  • support the target audience to identify and implement circular and sustainable business practices for the benefit of the economy, the environment, and social wellbeing
• Projects that focus on circular and sustainable business practices and principles such as:
  • waste avoidance and reduction
  • design for reuse, repair, or remanufacture
  • materials or resource efficiency
  • net zero emissions (must incorporate scope 3 emissions including those related to waste management)
  • circular supply chains
  • sustainable procurement
• Projects that provide education and/or promotional materials and activities demonstrating the benefits of a more sustainable and circular economy for a specific industry sector, which may include:
  • peer-to-peer learning, business innovation workshops, and networking events
  • development, testing, refinement and delivery of educational tools and resources such as guidelines, fact sheets, case studies, strategies
  • development of accreditation, awards, or other recognition programs that promote industry leaders
• Investigation of common problems and/or opportunities for a specific industry sector, geographical area or supply chain; and reporting that demonstrates the scale of the issue(s) and identified opportunity(ies) and established next steps for addressing the findings
• Selecting several businesses to participate in an assessment of their business practices, and identification of opportunities and barriers for implementing sustainability and circular economy principles; coupled with summarising and sharing results to encourage industry-wide change
• Projects must:
  • intend to drive a more circular and/or environmentally sustainable business community in South Australia
  • be delivered in partnership with a suitably qualified and capable, independent, and impartial service provider (a specialist advisory consultant, or equivalent)
  • target activities prioritised higher on the waste management hierarchy than current practice
  • be a new project, not already commenced or completed at the time of application
  • take place within South Australia for the explicit benefit of the South Australian business community
  • meet and contribute to the program aim, objectives and outcomes.

What won’t they fund?

• State and federal government entities
• Organisations with a non-business or community focus
• Organisations that provide or represent the interests of waste management service providers
• Projects with a broad, undefined target audience
• Projects that target households, sporting clubs, community-based initiatives
• Projects that focus on solutions prioritised lower on the waste management hierarchy than current practice
• Projects that allow the applicant to make a profit
• Applicant travel or operating costs such as rent and utility bills
• Projects intended to meet minimum regulatory compliance standards

Eligibility Criteria

• Industry associations, peak industry bodies
• Registered business groups, networks, clusters (incorporated or unincorporated entities)
• Companies that demonstrate an integral role within a supply chain and have effective means to engage and influence the supply chain network
• Local government and regional development authorities with a strong connection to a network of local businesses, and staff that are responsible for economic development and/or business engagement within their jurisdiction
• First Nations businesses are encouraged to apply or partner with an eligible applicant for project delivery.
• Applicants must be operating in South Australia (preferably in operation for at least 2 years).
• Applicants must demonstrate they have a strong relationship with a network of South Australian businesses, and the means to effectively engage and communicate with them.

For more information, visit Green Industries SA.