Funding available to help drive innovation in local government
Over $1 million is available to support projects that help councils innovate, grow strategic capacity and deliver better outcomes for their communities.
Managed by LGA South Australia, the funding has been backing innovation and new ideas for 27 years, empowering councils to trial new approaches, build partnerships and tackle emerging challenges through creative solutions.
LGA President, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross said the funding continues to be an important way get to unlock efficiencies, deliver sector-wide resources and support projects that make a difference.
“This program has helped the sector take bold steps, test new ideas and work collaboratively in ways that brings real value to local communities,” Mayor Holmes-Ross said.
“In the last round, we received 37 applications requesting almost $2.5 million in funding – a clear indicator of the level of innovation and ambition within our sector and other organisations wanting to collaborate with councils.”
Some of the projects funded last year are tackling regional workforce shortages, developing nation-leading pest bird management strategies, and exploring needs-based outdoor fitness equipment – all vastly different, but equally important.
“These projects, though diverse, all reflect the same goal – building a more adaptive, innovative, inclusive and sustainable local government sector,” Mayor Holmes-Ross said.
Projects eligible for funding must demonstrate measurable long-term benefits and address future local government priorities across six key focus areas:
- climate and environment
- community wellbeing and inclusion
- planning and infrastructure
- financial sustainability
- building sector workforce capacity
- strengthening the capability of councils.
“We know great ideas can come from anywhere, and this funding round is about unlocking that potential,” Mayor Holmes-Ross said.
Applicants are encouraged to consider partnerships, evidence-based approaches and strategies that deliver scalable or replicable models for the local government sector.
An online information session will be held at 11am on Wednesday 11 June to guide interested parties through the application process and answer questions about project eligibility and assessment criteria.
Applications for the 2025–26 round close 4pm Monday 4 August 2025.
Find out more
More details, including eligibility guidelines, assessment criteria and the application portal, are available on the LGA website: www.lga.sa.gov.au/research.
For media interviews, contact media@lga.sa.gov.au or 0476 853 689.