Community gardens, social impact programmes and environmental education initiatives are among 18 local projects sharing nearly $180,000 through Yarra Valley Water’s 2026 Community Grants Programme.
Now in its second year, the programme supports community organisations, schools and local groups in delivering projects that promote water efficiency, strengthen communities and protect the environment.
This year’s recipients span Yarra Valley Water’s service area, from the Yarra Ranges to Darebin, with initiatives including environmental education programmes, drinking fountains, community gardens and social impact projects designed to deliver lasting local benefits.
Yarra Valley Water managing director, Natalie Foeng, said the programme highlights the important role local organisations play in creating positive outcomes for communities and the environment.
“The response to this year’s grants programme showed just how passionate local communities are about creating positive change,” Foeng said. “Every project we support will create a ripple effect of positive impact. Whether it’s helping communities build water-smart habits, improving access to water or bringing people together through shared spaces, these projects will deliver benefits that extend well beyond our funding.”
One recipient, Coldstream Primary School, will use its $3,000 grant to help students better understand sustainable water use through hands-on learning.
“We are thrilled to receive this support from Yarra Valley Water. At Coldstream, our students love getting their hands dirty in the vegetable garden and helping to care for our chickens in ‘Cluckingham Palace’, so this project is something they are incredibly excited about,” said Coldstream Primary School acting principal Liam Sommers. “The grant will allow us to connect our rainwater tank to these much-loved outdoor learning spaces, giving students a practical way to see sustainability in action. Rather than simply learning about water conservation in the classroom, they’ll be able to experience first-hand how collecting and reusing water can make a real difference.”
Other recipients include Boots For All in Whittlesea, which will install a closed-loop wash system to clean and prepare 10,000 pairs of reusable sports shoes for people in need while saving more than 150,000 litres of water.
Friends of Damper Creek Conservation Reserve in Monash will use its funding to restore vegetation within the reserve, strengthening habitat links and biodiversity. Meanwhile, Jika Jika Community Centre in Darebin will install a modern, water-efficient shower to provide a safe and dignified facility for people experiencing homelessness, as well as volunteers and community members.
Foeng said supporting local organisations to turn practical ideas into action is at the heart of Yarra Valley Water’s Community Grants Programme.
“Local organisations understand the needs of their communities better than anyone. By supporting practical, community-led projects, we’re helping create lasting outcomes for people and the environment,” she said. “We look forward to seeing these projects come to life over the coming year and the positive impact they will have on local communities, waterways, biodiversity and future generations.”
Other successful 2026 community grants recipients are:
• Billanook Primary School, Yarra Ranges
• Coburg Primary School, Merri-Bek
• 1st Craigieburn Scout Group (The Scout Association of Australia Victorian Branch), Hume
• Donnybrook Primary School, Whittlesea
• Friends of Darebin Creek, Darebin
• Jubilee Housing, Whitehorse
• Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne), Yarra Ranges
• North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre, Maroondah
• Sikh Community Connections Inc., Whittlesea
• Sussex Neighbourhood House, Merri-Bek
• The Kevin Heinze Garden Centre, Manningham
• The Motherhood Lounge, Hume
• Victoria State Emergency Service Heidelberg Unit, Banyule
• Worawa Aboriginal College, Yarra Ranges
