Lead-Educate-Assist-Promote (LEAP) Grants

LEAP Grants support industry sectors, business groups and supply chains to drive a more resource efficient, sustainable and circular economy for SA.

Grants are available for industry associations, peak industry bodies, registered business groups, and organisations that play a key role in supply chains to:

• LEAD by sharing the vision and inspiring businesses to embrace circular and sustainability principles and practices
• EDUCATE by providing information, developing resources, and raising awareness
• ASSIST by providing one-on-one, tailored support for select businesses as well as shared learning opportunities
• PROMOTE success through workshops, networking events, case studies, awards and recognition programs

How much money is available?

Up to $100,000 (maximum $50,000 per fiscal year) per applicant

Who can apply?

• Industry associations, peak industry bodies
• Registered business groups, networks, clusters (incorporated or unincorporated entities)
• Companies that demonstrate an integral role within a supply chain and have effective means to engage and influence the supply chain network
• Local government and regional development authorities with a strong connection to a network of local businesses, and staff that are responsible for economic development and/or business engagement within their jurisdiction

First Nations businesses are encouraged to apply or partner with an eligible applicant for project delivery.

Applicants must be operating in South Australia (preferably in operation for at least 2 years).

Applicants must demonstrate they have a strong relationship with a network of South Australian businesses, and the means to effectively engage and communicate with them.

What will we fund?

• Projects that:
  • target a specific industry sector, group of businesses, or supply chain
  • are driven by business/industry demand (i.e. a demonstrated need for the initiative and evidence that the target audience is willing to participate in project delivery)
  • support the target audience to identify and implement circular and sustainable business practices for the benefit of the economy, the environment, and social wellbeing
• Projects that focus on circular and sustainable business practices and principles such as:
  • waste avoidance and reduction
  • design for reuse, repair, or remanufacture
  • materials or resource efficiency
  • net zero emissions (must incorporate scope 3 emissions including those related to waste management)
  • circular supply chains
  • sustainable procurement
• Projects that provide education and/or promotional materials and activities demonstrating the benefits of a more sustainable and circular economy for a specific industry sector, which may include:
  • peer-to-peer learning, business innovation workshops, and networking events
  • development, testing, refinement and delivery of educational tools and resources such as guidelines, fact sheets, case studies, strategies
  • development of accreditation, awards, or other recognition programs that promote industry leaders
• Investigation of common problems and/or opportunities for a specific industry sector, geographical area or supply chain; and reporting that demonstrates the scale of the issue(s) and identified opportunity(ies) and established next steps for addressing the findings
• Selecting several businesses to participate in an assessment of their business practices, and identification of opportunities and barriers for implementing sustainability and circular economy principles; coupled with summarising and sharing results to encourage industry-wide change

Projects must:

• intend to drive a more circular and/or environmentally sustainable business community in South Australia
• be delivered in partnership with a suitably qualified and capable, independent, and impartial service provider (a specialist advisory consultant, or equivalent)
• target activities prioritised higher on the waste management hierarchy than current practice
• be a new project, not already commenced or completed at the time of application 
• take place within South Australia for the explicit benefit of the South Australian business community
• meet and contribute to the program aim, objectives and outcomes.

What WON’T we fund?

• State and federal government entities
• Organisations with a non-business or community focus
• Organisations that provide or represent the interests of waste management service providers
• Projects with a broad, undefined target audience
• Projects that target households, sporting clubs, community-based initiatives
• Projects that focus on solutions prioritised lower on the waste management hierarchy than current practice
• Projects that allow the applicant to make a profit
• Applicant travel or operating costs such as rent and utility bills
• Projects intended to meet minimum regulatory compliance standards

When does it close?

Applications may be submitted at any time up until the closing date. 

Application forms are available for applicants and projects likely to be eligible, as determined through discussion with Business Sustainability Program staff. Please contact us to find out more. 

For the full list of eligibility and other criteria, read the LEAP 2024-25 Grant Funding Guidelines.

For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions.