Lead-Educate-Assist-Promote (LEAP) Grants

LEAP Grants support industry sectors, business groups and supply chains to drive a more resource efficient, sustainable and circular economy for SA.

Grants are available for industry associations, peak industry bodies, registered business groups, and organisations that play a key role in supply chains to:

• LEAD by sharing the vision and inspiring businesses to embrace sustainability and circular economy principles
• EDUCATE by providing information, developing resources, and raising awareness
• ASSIST by providing one-on-one, tailored support for select businesses as well as shared learning opportunities
• PROMOTE success through workshops, networking events, case studies, awards, recognition

How much money is available?

Up to $100,000 (maximum $50,000 per fiscal year) per applicant

Who can apply?

• Industry associations, peak industry bodies
• Registered business groups, networks, clusters (incorporated or unincorporated entities)
• Companies that play an integral part and are influential across a supply chain, and/or have a strong alliance to a network of businesses
• Local government and regional development associations that are able to effectively engage with a network of businesses within their local area or region

Applicants must be operating in South Australia (preferably in operation for at least 2 years).

Applicants must demonstrate they have a strong relationship with a network of South Australian businesses, and the means to effectively engage and communicate with them.

What will we fund?

• Projects that target a specific industry sector, group of businesses, or supply chain
• Projects that focus on circular economy and sustainability principles such as waste avoidance and reduction; materials or resource efficiency; net zero emissions; circular supply chains; design for reuse, repair, or remanufacture; extended producer responsibility / product stewardship
• Feasibility studies or pilot projects seeking circular economy or net zero emissions outcomes for a network/group of businesses
• Development, testing and refinement of guidelines, strategies, tools or similar resources
• Assessing a group of selected businesses, providing tailored advice; summarising and sharing results to encourage industry-wide change
• Research to identify commercially viable solutions to address specific issues experienced by a group of businesses or industry sector
• Educational and promotional materials and activities such as fact sheets, case studies, peer-to-peer learning events, workshops, development of awards and other recognition programs
• Any combination of the activities mentioned above

Projects must:

• have clear linkages to driving a more circular economy and/or sustainable business community in South Australia
• target activities prioritised higher on the waste management hierarchy than current practice
• be delivered in partnership with a suitably qualified and capable, independent and impartial service provider (a specialist advisory consultant, or equivalent) OR the applicant must provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate a satisfactory level of expertise and experience exists within the organisation for effective project delivery
• meet and contribute to the program aim, objectives and outcomes.

Preference will be given to applicants that can demonstrate demand for the project from their target audience; and/or can provide evidence of an information gap that the project will address.

What WON’T we fund?

• State and Commonwealth government entities
• Organisations with a community or other non-business focus (such as education, schools, community groups)
• Organisations that provide waste management services
• Projects with a broad, undefined target audience
• Projects that target households, sporting clubs, community-based initiatives
• Projects that focus on solutions prioritised lower on the waste management hierarchy than current practice
• Projects that allow the applicant to make a profit
• Applicant operating costs such as rent and utility bills
• Projects intended to meet minimum regulatory compliance standards

When does it close?

Expressions of interest for 2024–25 are welcome. Please contact the project manager (details below) for details. 

For the full list of eligibility and other criteria for 2022–23, read the 2022–23 LEAP Grant Guidelines.

For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions.