Evaluation of an Environmental Grants Program

Since its inception in 1991, the NSW Environmental Trust Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants Program has funded over 1,000 projects worth a total value of nearly $90 million to contribute to the ongoing sustainable management and stewardship of significant environmental assets and services in New South Wales. The Trust engaged Nexus to conduct an evaluation of the Program’s performance over the past five years and determine whether it had achieved its intended outcomes. This multi-method evaluation involved collation and analysis of program data, extensive stakeholder interviews and focus groups and a survey instrument to 148 grant recipients.

The evaluation generally found strong support for the program and the important niche it occupies in environmental grants. However, it did identify key issues in the Program’s design, administration and outcomes and made 29 recommendations for further improvement. These recommendations included refinements to the application process and reporting requirements. The evaluation also proposed reforms to the funding arrangements and to the monitoring and evaluation of the program.

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