Up to $100,000 to support councils introduce enhanced weekly food-only or food and garden organics collection services to cut emissions, and create valuable, reusable resources.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Go FOGO Grants?
The Go FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) grants are administered by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to help councils introduce new or enhanced weekly food-only (FO) or food and garden organics (FOGO) collection services. These grants aim to reduce organics waste going to landfill, minimise greenhouse gas emissions, and create a valuable, reusable resource. The NSW Government requires that all households in NSW have a dedicated organics collection by 2030, and Go FOGO grants are part of the broader strategy to achieve this goal.
Go FOGO Grants level of support
Funding amounts:
- $50 per household for single-unit dwellings moving from no organics service to a new weekly FOGO service.
- $25 per household for multi-unit dwellings transitioning to a FOGO or FO service.
- $10 per household for single-unit dwellings transitioning from an existing garden organics (GO) collection to a new weekly FOGO or FO collection.
- Up to $100,000 in additional funding for councils that have a significant proportion of multi-unit dwellings (MUDs), defined as more than 10,000 MUDs or where MUDs account for more than 20% of total housing. Councils that have previously received $50,000 in MUD support may apply for an additional $50,000.
Minimum and maximum amounts of funding:
The total grant pool is $50 million, and each council’s final awarded amount depends on the total eligible households served by the new organics collection. Funding may be adjusted at the final milestone if more or fewer households receive the service than initially planned.
Co-contribution requirements:
No specific financial co-contribution is mandated. It is recognised, however, that councils will provide significant in-kind contributions (e.g., staff resources, planning, community education) to implement and maintain a new organics collection service.
Go FOGO Grants important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Go FOGO Grants objectives
- Support weekly FOGO (or FO) services for households that currently have no organics service.
- Enable councils with an existing garden-only (GO) service to transition up to 1,500,000 households to a full FOGO (or FO) service.
- Assist councils with multi-unit dwellings by providing additional tailored community education funding.
- Reduce organics going to landfill to minimise methane (a potent greenhouse gas), while recovering valuable nutrients for reuse.
- Contribute to net zero emissions goals by diverting food and garden waste from landfill.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Go FOGO Grants support
The grants primarily fund the rollout of new or improved weekly FO or FOGO collection services, including:
- Planning and investigation (e.g., feasibility studies, pilots leading to a full service rollout).
- Procurement of bins, caddies, and other infrastructure.
- Community education programs rolled out before, during, and after service implementation.
- Audits and surveys to measure the service’s performance (e.g., contamination levels, resident satisfaction).
Ineligible expenditure
- Costs incurred before the Funding Agreement is signed by both the EPA and the council (i.e., pre-approval purchases or orders).
- Projects involving only a pilot or trial service without a full rollout plan.
- Expenditure that does not align with the mandatory criteria (e.g., the new service must be weekly and must include a minimum seven-year collection contract).
Other Go FOGO Grants important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Go FOGO Grants support
All NSW councils can apply for Go FOGO grants if they intend to introduce a new weekly FOGO or FO service within three years of grant approval and maintain it for at least seven years. This includes councils that have previously received organics collections funding under Waste Less Recycle More if the newly funded project will reach different households. Councils with large multi-unit dwelling populations may also be eligible for extra funding to support tailored education campaigns.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Go FOGO Grants assessment criteria
An independent Technical Review Committee (TRC) evaluates applications based on the following criteria (each typically weighted at 25%, unless otherwise stated):
1. Project Planning (25%)
- Clear evidence of research and scoping, including an understanding of current organics collection services (if any).
- Demonstration of council readiness and internal support.
2. FOGO or FO Collection Rollout Proposal (25%)
- Number and types of households to receive the new service.
- Proposed timeframe and anticipated diversion volumes.
- Details of collection and processing arrangements.
3. Effective Communication/Education to Support Project Goals (25%)
- Demonstrated understanding of the target community.
- A staged communications strategy (pre-, during-, and post-rollout).
- Plans for ongoing education in future years to sustain high service participation and low contamination.
4. Well-Designed Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (25%)
- Clear objectives and measurable targets.
- Methods for tracking organics diversion, contamination, and community satisfaction.
- Strategy for adjusting and improving the service over time.
For councils seeking additional MUD funding (up to $100,000 total):
- Justification of MUD numbers (more than 10,000 dwellings or over 20% of total housing).
- Demonstration of unique challenges faced by MUDs and tailored solutions.
How do I get the Go FOGO Grants?
- Check your eligibility: Confirm your council has no or limited organics service, or you are converting from a garden-only (GO) service.
- Plan your rollout: Ensure you have a clear schedule, procurement strategy, and an evidence-based education plan.
- Engage with stakeholders: Consult residents, local businesses, and waste contractors to refine your approach.
- Submit an application: Prepare all required information and supporting documents via SmartyGrants on the NSW EPA website before the deadline.
Information to prepare for the Go FOGO Grants application
- Project Scope: Outline the number and type of households targeted, plus the expected start date.
- Budget Breakdown: Show how you plan to allocate funds across bins/caddies, education, audits, and ongoing improvements.
- Education Strategy: Detail how you will inform and engage the community, especially any multi-unit dwellings, culturally diverse groups, or high-turnover populations.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Highlight key performance indicators (e.g., tonnage diverted, contamination rate) and methods for collecting this data.
- Risk Management: Identify any potential barriers (e.g., infrastructure, contract negotiations, resident hesitancy) and how you will address them.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Go FOGO Grants
All applications must be lodged through SmartyGrants (the link can be found on the NSW EPA website).
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Go FOGO Grants resources
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