The ACT Government has launched another round of the Community Garden Grants program, “so that local communities can take climate action into their own hands”.

Funding of $100,000 is available across two streams to build new or upgrade existing community gardens in the ACT, Rebecca Vassarotti, Minister for the Environment, Parks and Land Management, said.

Funding of $40,000 is available through stream one to improve and expand existing gardens or build small low impact gardens, and funding of $60,000 is available through stream two to establish large-scale food production community gardens or for significant infrastructure to increase food production in existing gardens.

The Community Gardens Grant program supports a variety of garden types, not just traditional food gardens. Previous projects have included indigenous food style gardens, micro-forests, and urban gardens to improve amenity and generate community attraction.

Applications for Community Garden Grants Round 10 are now open and close on 11 July. Apply through the Everyday Climate Choices website.

Ms Vassarotti said people who grow their own food are happier, healthier, and more knowledgeable about issues like food waste and the climate impacts of food production.

“Community gardens are a fantastic way to get involved in the community, and take meaningful climate action at a local level,” Ms Vassarotti said.

“They help reduce flood risk and make our city cooler. This makes our patch of the world much more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

“Even better, food production in community gardens, and our own gardens at home, can contribute massively to protecting our community from the rising costs in supermarkets.”

Holy Spirit Parish received a Community Garden Grant two years ago.

“As a Catholic Parish, one of our purposes is to respond to the needs of the community in the Gungahlin region and beyond,” office manager Theivani Evers said.

“At a time when social anxiety is so prevalent among young people around Australia, providing spaces that support wellbeing and calm is more important than ever. The addition of a vibrant garden to the church grounds has strengthened connections between the church, the Good Shepherd Primary School, and broader Amaroo community.

“With the support of a Community Garden Grant, the previously forgotten-about corner of the grounds has become a place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, work with other likeminded people and learn new skills.”