Budget Management for Landcare Projects
Budget management is essential for Landcare groups to deliver on-ground outcomes while ensuring accountability to funding bodies.
Efficiency - LEP23-021-12
The issue
Our Landcare members and Landcare Coordinators are challenged with providing sustainable Landcare with limited funding. Landcare projects are often run by the Western Landcare team, member groups, volunteers and land managers/carers. As well as limited funding, some of the issues that have arisen when managing a project budget are, staff and volunteer turnover, changing landholder capacity and limited financial/budget management understanding. These factors have led to difficulties in tracking expenditure, maintaining accurate records and ensuring accountability to funders. Without a good system and relevant skills in place, some projects have faced delays or non-compliance with reporting requirements, threatening future funding opportunities and compromising long term environmental outcomes.
The solution
To address this, we are working to strengthen the team skills in financial and budget management through training and support. With project outlines that align with grant applications, we are able to develop clear workplans supported by detailed budgets showing forecast and actual expenses. By keeping these records updated and accurate this reduces the risk of lost data and budget knowledge when experiencing volunteer or staff turnover. Western Landcare have 2 dedicated project officers in place that work with the regional support administration officer to support the team and Landcarers with project and budget management. This knowledge is then able to be shared with the Landcare community and support provided to member groups, volunteers and landholders/carers with individual projects.
The impact
We have increased our financial accuracy and confidence in understanding and applying for funding, developing project proposals, workplans and budgets. This clarity has improved planning and delivery of on-ground works, reducing delays and increased outcomes. It has led to improved grant reporting and stronger funder relationships. By building financial literacy, we are supporting the member groups, Western Landcare team and Landcarers to be more resilient and sustainable.
Key facts
- • Developed a standardized budget tracking system when not in place through a grant hub
- • Ongoing support and delivery of budget management training to members and the team
- • Improved compliance with grant reporting
- • Reduction in project delivery delays
- • Strengthened capacity and confidence within the group
- • Improved funder confidence and long-term funding prospects