QBE Foundation climate resilience local grant winners 2023
QBE’s purpose is to enable a more resilient future and help those around us to build strength and embrace change – and the work of the QBE Foundation is central to achieving this.
Creating a more resilient future comes in many forms. From projects that enhance knowledge and reduce inequality to those that provide physical protection from our climate, the actions and initiatives of community groups and organisations across our region help our communities develop, evolve and progress – and build resilience.
Every year, the QBE Foundation invites not-for-profit groups to apply for a $40,000 local grant to enable them to achieve their goals across a range of meaningful work.
To be eligible for a QBE Foundation grant, applicants must meet a number of criteria, including being a registered not-for-profit organisation based in Australia – or having initiatives working in Australia, New Zealand or the Pacific, and addressing issues in our local grant categories.
In 2023, a total of $440,000 was awarded to 11 community organisations across three categories – inclusion, climate resilience and employee choice – a category in which we invite our QBE colleagues to nominate an organisation that’s impacted them or their communities.
Here, we take a look at the climate resilience category and the four community groups that have each been awarded a grant of $40,000 in 2023.
QBE Foundation Grants – climate resilience category
The climate challenges we’re facing globally and across Australia are well documented. While nature is incredibly powerful, there are steps we can all take to help mitigate or minimise some of those risks.
Our climate resilience category focuses on providing support and mitigation options for communities to become more resilient and prepared for climate impacts. Initiatives can be working to address environmental regeneration, climate change and disaster preparedness, resilience and recovery.
Each application from not-for-profits in this category was assessed through multiple rounds by the QBE Foundation Committee and subject matter experts.
“Climate resilience across the world is incredibly important, and here in Australia, building that resilience up in communities that are most susceptible to climate emergencies is critical,” says QBE Foundation Co-Chair Jon Fox.
Chris Esson, Co-Chair of the QBE Foundation, observed that the applications this year highlight the quality of the work being undertaken across the country.
“Building resilience to help reduce the impact our climate has on communities is one part of a bigger long-term challenge we face. The projects we’ve awarded grants to this year contribute to climate resilience from a range of angles. We’re delighted to be able to support them through the QBE Foundation.”
QBE Foundation 2023 climate resilience category local grant winners
Habitat for Humanity Australia
Having a safe, secure home is something that many of us take for granted. However, Habitat for Humanity Australia understands that having a stable place to live is a foundation for poverty alleviation, and is focused on addressing urgent housing needs in vulnerable communities.
“To date, we have helped over 59 million people worldwide access adequate housing along with safe water and sanitation,” says Lara Warren, Head of Innovation and Growth.
“We also work with communities across the Asia-Pacific region to identify vulnerabilities and enhance their capacity to adapt to risks in their local environment, so they can better withstand and prepare for disasters.”
Since 2020, a key component of this work has been the delivery of the Household Action to Support Resilience to Disaster (HASARD) program, which builds the capacity of at-risk communities to improve their preparedness and resilience, minimising the impacts of future disasters on the most vulnerable residents.
The $40,000 QBE Foundation local grant will be used to continue the HASARD program in disaster-prone areas surrounding Sydney, including the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands, to help communities exposed to bushfire risk prepare their homes, connect with neighbours and reduce their risk together.
“Volunteers and trade apprentices are supported by skilled technical staff to help vulnerable families prepare for bushfires by clearing away potential hazards and performing simple maintenance at properties and shared spaces,” says Warren.
“The work we undertake may include removing fire hazards such as invasive species and overgrown vegetation, and fire/storm preparation such as clearing gutters, trimming tree branches, and minor exterior repairs to prevent water and/or ember ingress. This increases the preparedness of vulnerable households while also improving neighbourhood resilience.
“This grant from the QBE Foundation helps us continue this much-needed service to help some of our most vulnerable community members.”
PlantingSeeds
Natural disasters, such as the floods and bushfires we frequently experience in parts of Australia, can have devastating consequences on many levels – including on our natural environment.
PlantingSeeds runs sustainability programs with a focus on environmental protection and sustainable education, targeting communities impacted by recent environmental events and areas in need of biodiversity and regeneration.
Their flagship program - the B&B Highway, a bed and breakfast for bees birds and biodiversity - supports plants and pollinators through building urban and regional biodiversity.
“Through education, plantings and habitat installations, the B&B Highway creates regenerative corridors that have been shown to increase numbers and ranges of pollinators, reduce heat islands and underpin food systems,” explains Manager Kate Fraser.
Lismore and the Northern Rivers region of NSW have been severely impacted by weather-related disasters in recent times, and the $40,000 local grant from the QBE Foundation will enable PlantingSeeds to work with five public schools and their communities in those areas to help encourage regeneration, and help counter impacts of climate change affecting Lismore.
“We’re thrilled to receive this grant from the QBE Foundation. We aim to work with locals to provide knowledge, pride and skills to the students and parents about local flora and fauna and help plant in school grounds,” explains Fraser.
“A community event is planned to bring together the families and local supporters in the area to showcase local plants, pollinators, agriculture and food systems.”
Shedding Community Workshop Inc
The Shedding Community Workshop Inc was formed in Mullumbimby, in NSW’s Northern Rivers region in 2018, and what began as a place to learn the fundamentals of carpentry and building (with a focus on wellbeing and inclusivity) has quickly become a pivotal organisation in the area.
“We have over a thousand ‘Shedders’ aged 6-85, ranging from beginners to professionals, who represent a diverse spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds, genders and ethnicities, including those considered marginalised and vulnerable,” explains Director Sophie Wilksch.
“Since the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, we've become community leaders in creating trauma-informed spaces for connection, recovery, resilience and preparedness. Our immersive workshops, events and training sessions teach practical skills, sustainability and compassionate leadership – prioritising holistic well-being and social cohesion.”
These DIY and carpentry skills have been utilised in an area that’s been significantly impacted by the weather, and the $40,000 QBE Foundation local grant will be used to establish a dedicated Salvage Crew to address issues in post-flood recovery, resilience and preparedness regionwide.
“The Salvage Crew will respond to large-scale, extensive and ongoing issues in waste, resource management, sustainability, community education, and climate resilience,” explains Sophie.
“We aim to provide a comprehensive and innovative approach to these issues, locally and regionally.”
The Salvage Crew will offer a number of services, including sourcing and collecting salvageable items and repurposing them. A paid team leader will also manage the project and provide well-being support, while it will also help fund support for the Repair Cafe, offering ‘Retrieve, Repair and Return’ services for community members unable to transport items needing repair.
Sustainability education, community events, outreach efforts, and workshops on safe salvage and building with repurposed items will also form part of the project, empowering the local community’s recovery efforts.
“This funding will support a comprehensive approach to resilience, waste reduction, resource management and skills development,” says Sophie.
“Our project is not just about managing waste, but creating a sustainable, resilient future for the Northern Rivers, and inspiring positive change nationwide. Thank you QBE Foundation for this grant that allows us to undertake this important community work.”
Trust for Nature
Taking a proactive approach to the protection of the natural environment is a key component in building resilience, and Trust for Nature is helping ensure private land habitat across Victoria is protected.
In Victoria, 62% of the land is privately owned, and it has some of the most at-risk vegetated areas in the state. “Seventy-eight per cent of all native vegetation on private land is rare or threatened,” explains Sam Crowther, Partnerships Manager.
“Our vision is a future in which Victoria’s nature is valued, protected and thriving. Protecting land helps to give wildlife and plants a home forever and prevent species extinction – together with conservation covenants and reserves, we have protected 109,256 hectares across Victoria, partnering with more than 1,500 Victorians who have voluntarily taken legal steps to protect habitat on their property with conservation covenants.”
The not-for-profit works in partnership with more than 140 organisations, including Aboriginal Traditional Owner groups, farmers, Zoos Victoria, catchment management authorities, conservation bodies and community groups, and has recently received insurance to lead its own cool-season burns at Trust for Nature-owned reserves and on private land with a conservation covenant.
“This is a step-change for our organisation as it allows us to partner with Traditional Owners and private landholders to conduct their own strategic cool-season burns,” says Crowther.
A series of pilot cool-season burns were undertaken in North East Victoria, and the $40,000 local grant will be used to expand its current pilot project, upskill more Trust for Nature staff, and purchase more tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment.
“Thank you to the QBE Foundation for this grant, which will allow Trust for Nature to work with landholders and Traditional Owners across more areas of Victoria,” says Crowther.
Learn more about the 2023 local grant recipients in the employee choice and inclusion categories, or visit QBE Foundation to learn more about the work the Foundation does in the community.
