GREEN ARMY INDIGENOUS PROJECTS

The Green Army is a six-month programme for 17–24 year olds to train and work in the environment. It is open to school leavers, gap year students, graduates and job seekers.

Indigenous participants and communities are encouraged to participate in the Green Army Programme. The Green Army can support projects in remote communities, provide targeted training and ways to connect Indigenous Australians with their country, identity and culture.

INDIGENOUS PROJECT OPPORTUNITIESIndigenous groups, community organisations, environment groups and local councils across Australia can apply to host a Green Army project.

Each year the Australian Government will call for project ideas that have a clear environment or heritage conservation focus through project selection rounds.

Projects can take place across urban, regional and remote Australia on public land, Indigenous-held lands, or private land where there is a clear environmental benefit for the community.

Green Army Indigenous projects may include:

9 carrying out traditional land and sea management using ecological knowledge

9 protecting and managing cultural sites

9 delivering land and sea management practices on Indigenous managed lands and seas such as Indigenous Protected Areas

9 preserving Indigenous heritage values

9 monitoring and surveying on Indigenous and non-Indigenous lands.

A full list of eligible project activities is provided in the Project Guidelines available at the Green Army website: www.australia.gov.au/greenarmy

GreenArmyGov DeptEnvironment

GreenArmyGov

GREEN ARMY INDIGENOUS PROJECTS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?Once your project idea is successful you will become a Green Army Project Host. The first step is that a Service Provider will be allocated to your project and together you will agree on a project plan that will detail roles and responsibilities. The Service Provider will then deliver the project on the ground in cooperation with you.

There are many positives to your organisation getting involved in the Green Army:

9 A team of up to nine participants and a qualified team supervisor will support your project for up to 30 hours each week for 20-26 weeks. The team supervisor may be a member of your local community.

9 The Green Army Programme covers costs associated with the team including:

9 participant allowances

9 supervisor wages

9 safety clothing and basic equipment

9 participant training

9 local transport costs

9 participant insurances

9 items such as seeds, chemicals, fencing materials and equipment (with an average value of $10,000 per project).

The Green Army Programme covers costs associated with the team through the Service Providers and cash funding is not provided to Project Hosts.

INDIGENOUS AND REMOTE PROJECTSThe Australian Government acknowledges there may be challenges in successfully delivering projects in remote locations. These challenges may include high service delivery costs, low population density, longer travel times, or the availability of expertise. A project will not be disadvantaged due to its location.

To increase the participation of Indigenous organisations, the Programme has incorporated a number of flexibilities.

These include, but are not limited to: 9 Relaxing the age requirements if a remote project depends on

the involvement of participants older than 24 years of age 9 Projects are able to be undertaken with reduced numbers of

participants in order to engage an Indigenous elder to enhance participant outcomes

9 Providing opportunities for smaller team sizes in consideration of remote locations.

All Service Providers have been assessed and engaged on their ability to successfully deliver projects across Australia on a state by state basis, including in remote locations.

Applicants are encouraged to talk to a Service Provider to discuss any specific needs for their proposed project prior to the application stage. With regard to any project flexibilities, these should be requested jointly by a Service Provider and Project Host, particularly where participants are able to bring Indigenous cultural knowledge that will be important to delivering successful project outcomes

HOW DO I APPLY?Projects are called for each year. To apply:

9 Visit www.australia.gov.au/greenarmy 9 Read the relevant Guidelines.

9 Download and complete the online application form addressing each of the selection criteria.

9 Submit your application by the closing date.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their project with one or more of the Service Providers before they complete their application form. Service Provider contact details are available at the Green Army website.

If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can request a hard copy application form and the guidelines by calling the Green Army hotline on 1800 780 730.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?www.australia.gov.au/greenarmy

1800 780 730

GreenArmy@environment.gov.au

Subscribe to the Green Army mailing list, email GreenArmy@environment.gov.au

DeptEnvironment