2025 Integral Ecology Initiatives Grants

Celebrating the 800-year anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures
and the 10-year anniversary of Laudato si’ together with a Jubilee year, 2025 is BIG!

GRANT RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED!

The following proposals were selected to receive funding…

Sophia College, Plainland

This grant is to assist with rehabilitation of natural eco-systems found on the site of the school before construction. Nesting boxes and bee hotels are part of broader strategy to increase bio-diversity on the school’s grounds.

St Gerard Majella, Woree

At SGM they applied to establish a vermicomposting worm farm to augment to activities of the existing Garden Club. The worm farm would consume school food scraps and be a vehicle for student education around waste and disposal.

St Anthony’s College, Deeragun

St. Anthonys has an existing plastic recycling project and they applied for sponsorship to help students attend the Global Link ecological event at Moreton Island to present their project to an international audience for global development.

Sophia College, Plainland

Sophia also applied to rejuvenate the poor soil in the school’s gardens to better support healthy produce. This project will provide resources for food specialisation and science curriculum delivery as well as ongoing sustainability projects.

Padua College, Kedron

Padua’s application involved the conversion of an underused area into a landscaped gathering place of harmony and sanctuary featuring, native, plantings, Franciscan themed murals, birdhouses and bee hives.

St Charles, Waverley

This grant is to expand the school’s existing garden as a learning space and to harvest and manage produce for a school market with family and student engagement. It incorporates water sustainability education and waste reduction and composting.

Congratulations to all Schools involved.

The Project

As part of our 800^th anniversary celebrations, Franciscan Schools Australia (FSA), with support from the Franciscan Federation Australia (FFA) are offering grants to school communities.

The grants will be awarded to FSA member schools that respond creatively to care for the earth, that advance ecological spirituality and that integrate that spirituality into ongoing school life, practices and ethos.

Applications for 2025 Integral Ecology Initiatives Grants are now invited.

Show your school cares for our common home, Sister Mother Earth now and into the future while educating and activating others. Get creative with your integral ecology initiative and activities that provide both environmental and educational outcomes, along with health and social benefits.

See ‘Application Forms and Links‘ below – Applications close on 30 April 2025.

Our Inspiration

Funding

A total of $10,000.00 (excluding GST) is available, with individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
Winning initiatives will not exceed the value of $5,000.00.

Eligibility

The school must be a current member of Franciscan Schools Australia
The project must have school leadership approval.
The school must accept legal and financial responsibility for the applicant’s project.

Details and Criteria of the Integral Ecology Initiative Grant:

Entries are invited from primary and secondary students in 2025 from FSA member schools and colleges.
Students are invited to submit an environmental, integral ecology initiative for their school community via the application form which can be written or in video form (3-4mins). Video applications are to be hosted on a school platform with a link provided to the Grants Team.
The initiative needs to show care for our Sister Mother Earth while educating and activating others.
An itemised budget with details specific to your initiative will be sought as part of the application process.
The funding will be for materials and services that are to be used directly for the nominated project.
The nominated initiative must be signed off by a member of the school’s leadership team.
At least one monetary grant will be awarded for winning initiatives in each school category
Applicants will be notified by post of the outcome of their application by the end of May 2025.
Successful applicants have 12 months from the time of the notification of success to complete the project and acquit the grant, unless otherwise negotiated.
Permission will be sought for selected entries to be shared with the wider Franciscan family globally via electronic form.
Entries will be judged by a specialist panel consisting of three Franciscan religious and three educators from Franciscan Schools Australia.