Caring for Country

Supporting and resourcing First Nations people to continue to care for and protect Country as a fundamental and urgent climate solution.

This grant round supports First Nations led climate initiatives and is led and run by Groundswell’s First Nations team – Tishiko King and Lille Madden.

Please note: applications for 2024 are now closed. The next round will open in mid-2025.

Criteria

The Caring for Country Grant Round supports the work of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander people:

Protecting Country: Prevention of fossil fuel expansion eg. advocacy and campaigning.

Caring for Country: Land, sea and water management eg. preserving and protecting carbon sinks.

Healthy Country solutions: Supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander led climate solutions eg. agriculture to sequester carbon and energy transition initiatives.

Preserving culture: Strengthening community to ensure ongoing generational care for Country, eg. protecting cultural heritage.

Self-determination in philanthropy

Groundswell recognises the responsibility of funders to support the right to self-determination of this country’s First Peoples. As such, our Caring for Country grant round supports First Nations community leaders to manage the decision making process of this grant round and direct funding to address climate justice in the way they choose, on their own terms, in accordance with the right to self-determination.

This grant program hopes to set a framework for future funding schemes by modelling a power shift towards authentic self-determination in philanthropy.

Advisors

Marlikka Perdrisat - Storyteller, Founder of Martuwarra & Lawyer

Jacynta Fa'amau - Regional Pacific Campaign Specialist

Benjamin Abbatangelo - Writer, Strategist and Investor

Lala Gutchen - Storyteller, Language Coordinator, Climate Advocate

Tiarne Shutt – Program Lead, First Nations Finance – Australian Sustainable Finance Institute

Learn more

This grant is proudly supported by the Eisen Family Private Fund, the Oranges & Sardines Foundation and the Dusseldorp Forum.

Join us as a co-funder

Grant winners 2024

Dabangay Restoration Project

Dabangay's vision is to self-manage their cultural heritage sites, blending traditional knowledge with Western science. They empower Traditional Owners to return to their lands, revitalising their culture and connection. Their mission is to restore the Dabangay Cultural heritage site, honouring their ancestors. They create a welcoming space for Traditional Owners to share knowledge and pass it on to future generations, strengthening cultural heritage and economic benefits for all.

Tennant Creek Pilot ‘Explain Homes’

In the next 12 months, Wilya Janta plans to: Construct Two Demonstration ‘Explainʼ Homes: Complete the construction of two pilot 'Explain Homes' in Tennant Creek. These homes will serve as models for culturally appropriate, climate-resilient housing and demonstrate the effectiveness of community-led design. Wilya Janta’s mission is to ensure housing designs respect and integrate cultural practices while addressing the environmental challenges posed by climate change - “We believe that by involving community members in every step of the process, from initial design to decisions around the construction process, we can create housing solutions that truly meet community needs, empower the community and ensure that homes are practical and sustainable in the long term.”

Saltwater People

Saltwater People is a solidarity bloc of saltwater Traditional Custodians around so-called Australia, representing saltwater nations supporting each other in the push back against offshore fossil fuel projects, both exploration and production. Saltwater People operates as a collective under Friends of the Earth Australia, which offers a greenhouse for development of the Alliance, at the request of Traditional Custodians already engaged in this project.

Seedkeepers Community Seed Bank Network

With community seed banks, Aboriginal people have a real ability to make a difference. The seeds of the Central deserts are going to be essential for the times ahead, as the plants that tolerate heat and drought assume a special new importance in our changing world. This seed community seed bank project aims to provide Aboriginal communities with innovation and world leading best practice programs in community seed banking - empowering remote communities to preserve and maintain traditional knowledge and genetic biodiversity.

Cypress Pine regeneration

Kimberley Ecosystem Restoration and Cypress Pine Conservation is a comprehensive First Nations led project aimed at preserving and restoring the unique ecosystem of the Kimberley region in Western Australia. Building on two decades of dedication and care, this project, spearheaded by Donny Imberlong, a descendant and Traditional Owner of the Jaru language group, will focus on the conservation of the Cypress Pine, a species with deep historical significance in the region. The initiative aims for ecosystem restoration through an ongoing presence on Country.

Black Duck Foods

Supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander led climate solutions eg. agriculture to sequester carbon and energy transition initiatives. Native grains and tuber being perennial hold carbon in the soil. We are able to crop these plants without removing them from the soil. We aim to increase the amount of native grasses and tubers that we harvest. Doubling the harvest will allow us to retain much of the grass heads to reseed newly viable country.

ActionAid Vanuatu

In Vanuatu, one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, First Nations women are facing increasing cyclones and extreme weather events caused by the fossil fuel pollution of G20 countries like Australia, while their needs and demands are not being heard. This grant will allow Ni-Vanuatu women, including women with disabilities, to lead community action to protect and sustainably manage marine ecosystems and small-scale fisheries.

Nēwara Aboriginal Corporation

Nēwara Aboriginal Corporation is a grassroots non-profit Aboriginal community organisation based on Anaiwan Country (Armidale NSW). Nēwara's work is aimed broadly at undoing the damage inflicted upon Anaiwan culture, community, and Country by colonisation at a local level. In 2023, Nēwara established the ‘Nyambinga Kyuna Ranger Programʼ as a practical step for us as Anaiwan people to reclaim their active roles and responsibilities as custodians and managers of kyuna (Country). This program centres on regenerating healthy and culturally grounded relationships with kyuna, growing community capacity, and working towards economic self-reliance and sustainability. It is at the heart of Nēwaraʼs Caring for Country strategy, and their vision for us as Anaiwan people to play our role in the fight against climate change.

Strong Country for Healthy Women

The Strong Women for Healthy Country Network is dedicated to empowering Indigenous women caring for Country across the Northern Territory. In 2019 Rembarrnga, Dalabon and Mayili Elders from Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation invited women from various ranger groups to come together to share and support one another – “We are strong Indigenous women of the Northern Territory. We stand united as one strong voice. We commit to a network that gives equal power to the rights of all our women. Strong Women means Healthy Country.” This funding will support the implementiation of a communication strategy and digital communication tools to deliver improved land and sea management, conservation, social and cultural outcomes.

Future Ancestors Program

Future Ancestors is a grassroots leadership program that exists to build the capacity of young Pasifika people living in QLD to meaningfully participate in high level decision making spaces – “We know that the decisions made in Australia have direct impacts to our villages in the Pacific. As Pasifika diaspora, not on the frontlines of climate change but rather climate action, we have a responsibility to amplify, challenge and nurture indigenous led climate solutions. This funding will enable the meaningful delivery and sharing of these tools to Pasifika young people by Pasifika young people.”

Protection and Justice for the Timor Sea

Supporting Antonia Burke’s vision, which has evolved from stopping one offshore gas project, to protecting the whole Timor Sea, so that Tiwi Islanders and all coastal peopleʼs of the Timor Sea preserve and continue their ancient cultural lineages. This will ensure First Nations livelihoods remain intact and be recognised and supported by the Australian Government, global Financial Institutions and the Climate Movement.

Grant winners 2023

Gudanji for Country

Gudanji For Country was formed to help elevate the voices of their Clan group, the Kurrunjini Rrumburriya (part of the Gudanji Nation), in speaking for and caring for Country. As a grass roots First Nations organisation, they are fighting to protect our Country from the damaging effects of overgrazing, mining and now fracking. This grant will help bring a team of researchers out on Country to document the interconnectedness of our people, culture, Country and and demonstrate how important it is that we protect Country from imminent destruction through fracking.

The Veilomani Project

With it looking more like COP31 will to be held in Australia in 2026, co-hosted with the Pacific, the Veilomani Project is an opportunity to mobilise Pasifika youth based in Australia via a series of events and empowerment workshops held throughout 2024-2025, fostering climate collaboration and strategic planning with the youth to amplify Pacific voices and ensure we are able to shift the narrative and provide Pacific Islands with the best possible chance of survival.

Karrkad Kanjdji Trust

The Karrkad Kanjdji Trust brings together First Nations ranger groups, communities and philanthropists to address some of our nation’s most pressing issues. These include regenerating our natural environment, taking action on climate change, creating meaningful and equal employment opportunities, and supporting the continuation of the world’s oldest living culture This grant will support a dedicated team of Warddeken rangers are working to protect what is believed to be the largest body of undocumented rock art in the world.

Protect Binybara Point, Protect Larrakia Knowledge — Protect Binybara

Binybara (Lee Point) is a location of sacred Larrakia law, Dreaming and cultural significance that is currently under threat of being destroyed by Defence Housing Australia to build 800 houses for the military and privatisation of Aboriginal land. This grant will support Larrakia young people and Elders stop the military housing project at Binybara and protect Country and strengthen relationships across Larrakia Nation through movement building.

Willum Wurraun Pun Pun Project

Willum Warraun Pun Pun is an Aboriginal gathering place in Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula with over 600 members, creating a safe cultural space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living locally to connect around culture. This grant will support the revegetating of a creek at the back of their property, which is an important ecological wetland habitat for endangered species under threat from climate change.

Currie Country Social Change Aboriginal Corporation

CCSCAC is deeply committed to preserving and stewarding Country and have identified two historically significant fish trap sites – Cabarita and Fingal Head in Bundalung Country NSW– that face degradation, endangering delicate ecosystems. Their objective is to restore and safeguard these sites, ensuring their significance for Traditional Owners and the wider community and this grant will support two weekend projects, led by Traditional Owners, focused on rebuilding and revitalising these fish trap sites. This hands-on approach ensures ancestral knowledge is passed down, deepening our connection to the land, sea, and waters.

Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council

The Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council is an entirely Indigenous led organisation, guided by a diverse representation of senior elders with cultural authority and knowledge holders on the front line, defending against the destruction of cultural heritage, ecological damage, poverty, and climate change. They’re working together to ensure Martuwarra – a living ancestor and a global treasure – retains a right to live and flow through education, research, storytelling, community outreach, legal and policy venues.

Weaving Waterways

'Weaving Waterways' is a program that will empower First nations people to reinvigorate weaving practices through the restoration of their waterways. One of the limiting factors for this revival has been the lack of access to traditional weaving materials and this grant will go towards procurement of plants, fencing of riparian areas where necessary and maintenance of these areas, helping restore health to Country, supporting the revival of cultural practices and empowering community.

Grant winners 2022

Pertame Language School

A community-led language program working with Pertame Elders to pass their language and cultural knowledge down to the next generation. Their goal is to grow the next generation of Pertame speakers and create a thriving, connected community, with increased mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing through language and cultural renewal.

Running Water Community Press + Arid Lands Environment Centre

An independent, community-controlled publisher run by writers in Mparntwe Alice Springs. Centring First Nations storytelling and truth-telling from remote areas, this funding will support an initiative to promote the sharing of intergenerational knowledge and showcase the ongoing fight for water justice.

Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective

A community led campaign against the expansion of the Otway Basin, an offshore gas and oil basin that sits south of Victoria’s South-West coastline, on Gunditjmara Sea Country. This area holds significant physical and cultural significance to revived southern clans and coastal people’s identity and belonging.

Pasifika program,
Environmental Defenders Office

A Pasifika lawyer-led program within the EDO that works with partners throughout the Pacific to represent Pasifika-Indigenous peoples and customary caretakers to protect their rights and the lands and waters of the blue continent.

Our Islands Our Home

A campaign led by a team of Torres Strait Islanders to protect their culture and Island homes from climate change. Their advocacy, strategic litigation and grassroots organising is building a Torres Strait Islander led climate movement.

Teppethiggi Ni-Ripono x Cairns and Far North Environment Centre

A highly strategic campaign to slow gas development in Cape York by collaborating with Traditional Owners, increasing awareness of the Bamaga Basin and its associated pipeline development, providing opportunities for connection to Country and making legal interventions to gas development applications.

Gateebil Gurrnung Aboriginal Corporation

With a vision to revive Yugara culture through language, song and dance and caring for Country, this grant will support a series of workshops focussed on upskilling Yugara peoples to confidently administer cultural burning practices to restore natural landscapes for future generations.

Darkinjung Culture x Country

Darkinjung Ngura (Country) is home to tens of thousands of significant cultural sites, many which are at risk of damage. This funding will help identify and maintain culturally significant engravings and cave artworks across Darkinjung Ngura and support local knowledge holders to pass on knowledge to educate the wider community and ensure no more Sacred Sites are destroyed or lost.

Seisia Beach Clean x KKY Language Rejuvenation Project

The Seisia community regularly volunteer to pick up and collect rubbish from their local beachfront. Volunteers often ask about the Kalaw Kawa Ya language terms for many of the beach flora, fauna, birdlife, tide patters, weather, winds and marine life. With this funding, Elders will be invited to the beach so language can be learnt on Country, while cleaning and caring for country.

Why a First Nations-led grant round

By Lille Madden, First Nations Director

Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander people have sustainably cared for Country for millenia, and we continue to do so today.

Indigenous people globally only make up 5% of the population but care for 80% of the world's global biodiversity. By caring for and protecting Country we have been able to preserve priceless natural areas that are our answers for our futures. But invasion and colonisation have devastated this system.

Western systems of land and water management have degraded our ecosystems to such an extent that within 200 years we have arrived in a climate crisis.

Here in Australia, that destruction is particularly obvious. Australia ranks world number 1 for mammal extinction, and world number 2 for biodiversity loss. We also hold the title as the world’s largest exporter of coal and the 2nd largest exporter of gas, and are ranked dead last on climate action among UN nations worldwide.

From rising sea levels to dangerous heat waves in remote communities, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander people are feeling the impacts of the climate crisis first and worst, whilst holding the frontlines of resistance by protecting Country from the threats of fossil fuel extraction.

Climate justice demands that those most affected by the climate crisis – Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander people – are empowered and resourced to continue our leadership protecting and defending Country, as we have done since time immemorial.

Today there is so much that young mob are doing with the help of their elders and communities to continue to lead the way towards a sustainable future.

Yet First Nations led advocacy is still chronically underfunded.

Supporting and resourcing First Nations people to continue to care for and protect Country is a fundamental – and urgent – climate solution.