Indigenous Land Corporation – Our Country Our Future Program: Small Projects

Purpose and Program Overview

The Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) – Our Country Our Future Program: Small Projects grant aims to assist Indigenous people across Australia. Its primary objective is to help Indigenous communities manage, use, care for, acquire, and improve land to achieve Indigenous benefits.

This program supports Indigenous groups in owning and managing land and water interests. It provides direct funding, advice, and capability support. This includes information, knowledge, and training for property owners.

The broader role of this grant is to facilitate partnerships and opportunities related to land and water. It helps Indigenous communities strengthen their connection to Country and build economic independence.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Up to $100,000 for Small Projects.
• Application open and close dates: The program maintains an ongoing status, allowing applications to be submitted at any time.
• Eligible industries or business types: Indigenous individuals, communities, and corporations across urban, regional, and remote areas of Australia. The program supports land-based enterprises and activities.
• Required co-contributions: Not explicitly stated as a mandatory percentage, but proposals are assessed on various factors, including potential for new partnerships and opportunities.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Australia-wide.

Priority Sectors

The Our Country Our Future Program supports a broad range of land and water-based activities that benefit Indigenous people. Projects are prioritised based on factors such as:

• Providing nations with access to countries where they previously had limited or no access.
• Supporting Indigenous leadership in priority sectors like renewables, clean energy, inland water, fisheries, aquaculture, carbon, and environmental markets.
• Cultural maintenance and revitalisation activities.
• Addressing urgent health and safety issues in the Country.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts per stream: For Small Projects, funding is up to $100,000.
• Categories or streams of funding: The Small Projects stream has three main categories:
  • Property management planning.
  • Property-based projects.
  • Urgent health and safety projects.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: Not explicitly specified. Projects are assessed on their proposed scope and methodology.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business structure or size: Indigenous groups, communities, or individuals. Specifically for grants, incorporated Indigenous corporations are typically required.
• Registered business location: Not restricted by specific location, as it applies to Indigenous people across urban, regional, and remote Australia.
• Minimum/maximum turnover: Not specified.
• Insurance or compliance obligations: Not explicitly detailed in the provided information, but standard legal and governance compliance for incorporated bodies would apply.
• ABN/GST status: Not explicitly stated, but standard for entities receiving government funding.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant supports a wide range of land and water-related activities that benefit Indigenous communities. Eligible activities may include:

• Purchasing land or water-related interests.
• Starting or expanding land/water-based enterprises.
• Undertaking planning and feasibility assessments.
• Building or upgrading infrastructure.
• Improving organisational service delivery.
• Conducting on-ground management activities for “Care for Country.”
• Enabling or improving access to culturally significant Country.
• Maintaining and revitalising culture.
• Developing training and employment opportunities.
• Addressing urgent health and safety issues in the Country.

Assessment Process

The “Our Country Our Future” program is competitive and has a fixed budget. Applications are accepted at any time. The ILSC assesses proposals.

Key evaluation criteria include:

• The project’s ability to provide Indigenous nations with access to Country.
• Support for Indigenous leadership in priority sectors (e.g., renewables, aquaculture).
• The degree of positive change, outcomes, and opportunities generated for First Nations peoples and communities.
• Objective assessment against specific program criteria.
• Relative assessment against other proposals received.

Applicants are advised to contact the program administrator before applying.

Recent Program Updates

The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation’s “Our Country Our Future” program is ongoing. It is a principal funding program that continues to assist Indigenous groups in owning and managing land and water interests. The program regularly updates its guidelines.

Application Tips

Consider these points for your application:

• Contact the program administrator before submitting your application.
• Ensure your project directly aligns with assisting Indigenous peoples in managing, using, caring for, acquiring, or improving land for their benefit.
• Demonstrate how your project will generate positive outcomes and opportunities for First Nations peoples and communities.
• Outline your project’s alignment with priority sectors, if applicable.
• Prepare detailed information for your proposal, including methodology, expected outcomes, and how it addresses urgent health and safety issues if relevant.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting with a professional grant specialist, such as Pattens Group. We offer initial assessments to review your business’s eligibility and evaluate how well your project aligns with the grant’s objectives. You can also visit relevant government websites for application templates and further guidance.