2024 Great Ydeas Small Grant Winner
The Girls for the Environment Program empowers students to become environmental leaders within their schools. Through interactive workshops, Year 6 and Year 10 participants develop essential skills in project planning, leadership, and environmental stewardship. The program culminates in student-led sustainability initiatives that create lasting positive impact in their communities. By taking concrete action on environmental issues, participants build confidence and develop practical skills while making meaningful contributions to environmental protection.
1.) How has receiving the Great Ydeas Small Grant helped bring the Girls for the Environment Program to life?
A Great Ydeas Small Grant has made it possible to offer the Girls for the Environment program at no cost to families or schools, removing financial barriers to participation.
The program launches in March 2025 at two schools in Lanyon Valley: Gordon Primary School (Year 6) and Lanyon High School (Year 10). Students will design and implement their own environmental initiatives at their schools.
We are working with both schools to create collaboration opportunities where students can share ideas, learnings, and resources. This cross-school partnership will enrich the learning experience and help students build connections within their community.
We look forward to seeing the innovative environmental initiatives these students develop!
2.) What would you say to someone with a big idea for social or environmental change who’s considering applying for a Great Ydeas Small Grant?
Go for it!! It never hurts to try and if you are successful, it probably means your idea is a winner! And if you are not successful and you really believe in your idea, keep trying and you will get there. Small steps can lead to big change in the community and can inspire others to contribute and share their own big ideas.
3.) What’s one key lesson you’ve learned about securing funding for projects that create lasting community impact?
To have the best chance at securing funding, you need to have a well-developed idea. This helps you to articulate why the idea is great, what the benefits are to the community, how you are going to implement it and provide an accurate costing estimate in your grant application.
When you have your idea, I highly recommend presenting your idea to a colleague, friend or family member. Do they understand what the idea is? Can they see the benefits? Are they feeling confused? Use their honest feedback to refine your idea so it is abundantly clear to audiences who will be hearing about it for the first time. Seeking feedback will vastly improve your grant applications and increase your chances of bringing your great ideas into fruition.
How to find out more
Girls for the Environment is run through Local Impact Sustainability, a small business based in Tuggeranong.
To find out what else we offer, visit our website (https://localimpactsustainability.com.au/) and Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557281092698)
