General Manager, Group Services Rachel Weston said the company has undertaken a comprehensive review of the fund to ensure it continues to meet its objectives and deliver meaningful outcomes. 

Ms Weston said the pool of funding has been reviewed and will be $33,000 in 2015. 

“This will help ensure that the fund remains sustainable for the life of the project,” she said.

Applications to the Ararat Sustainable Communities Fund are open for the duration of October.

Expressions of interest from community members interested in sitting on the Fund Allocation Panel will also be accepted. 

Pacific Hydro staff will be on hand at an information session at the Ararat Emergency Complex (SES building), 85 High Street on Tuesday from 11.30 am until 2 pm to assist community groups with their applications.

Ms Weston said new selection criteria have been established to provide increased clarity and transparency on how applications are assessed.

“The criteria include addressing how your project aligns with the fund's aims, demonstrating community need, and outlining your planning processes and budget,” she said.

“Organisations must be able to demonstrate non-profit status to be eligible to apply to the fund.

“Organisations with outstanding Report Back Forms from previous years (this includes not supplying receipts/invoices for goods and/or services) will be ineligible to apply to the fund until these documents have been provided.”

Due to the change in the amount of funding available in 2015, applications of more than $6,000 will no longer be considered. 

Ms Weston said there will be several other changes to improve the long-term sustainability of the fund.

“Organisations will now have 12 months to implement projects,” she said.

“We believe this time-frame will assist groups in completing meaningful projects without undue stress on volunteers.

“Pacific Hydro will no longer accept applications seeking funding for multiple years in a row.

“Funding will only be granted one year at a time, so that every application can be assessed on its merits compared to the other applications in each funding round.”

Visit www.pacifichydro.com.au to view guidelines and the application form.