About the program
Through the Urban Forest Fund, City of Melbourne offers a matched-funding grants program to support new greening projects on private property in the city.
A range of projects may be funded including new green open spaces, tree planting, biodiversity projects, green roofs and vertical greening, and water sensitive urban design projects. Grant applications are assessed by a panel of greening experts and community members who prioritise projects that will provide the most benefit to the community and environment.
Each round of funding differs in scope due to factors such as available funds, city priorities, and joint-funding arrangements. When applying for an Urban Forest Fund grant it is important to refer to the current round guidelines.
2026 grants now open
As part of our mission to make Melbourne the garden city and facilitate community greening, we're running a super-sized round of our Urban Forest Fund. This year, we’re looking to support more projects than ever before, with up to $1 million of total matched funding on offer for a wide range of greening projects.
Depending on the size of your project, you can apply for one of two funding streams:
- Stream 1 supports high-impact greening, with matched-funding of $30,000 to $100,000 available for larger projects on private property with environmental and community benefits. Think green walls and facades, new green spaces with canopy cover, communal areas, rooftop gardens, water sensitive urban design and innovative design.
- Stream 2 supports community greening, with matched-funding of up to $10,000 available for community-focused, smaller-scale projects on private property or Council footpaths that have a Greening Melbourne permit. Think residential communal area uplifts, laneway greening, planter boxes and pots, garden bed revitalisation, food growing and biodiversity plantings.
We're targeting areas in the city where greening is needed most, empowering community and organisations to bring life to urban spaces.
Come along to an information session
Join us at the next Canopy Green Roof Forum to hear about our new round of Urban Forest Fund grants and how you can apply. You'll also get to hear from green infrastructure experts and community greening champions for project inspiration and ask the team questions to get help with your application.
When: Thursday 5 February 2026, 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Where: Melbourne Town Hall, 90/130 Swanston Street
Can't make it? Drop in for a chat instead
We're also running drop-in sessions from our Customer Service Centre throughout February, where you can chat directly with the Urban Forest Fund team. No registrations required – just come by with your questions!
When: any time between 11.30am and 1.30pm on the following dates:
- Thursday 12 February 2026
- Thursday 19 February 2026
- Thursday 26 February 2026
Where: Customer Service Centre at Melbourne Town Hall, 120 Swanston Street
Previous Urban Forest Fund projects
There have been five rounds of grants offered since the Urban Forest Fund was established in 2017, totalling over $3.2 million in funding. Take a look at some of the projects supported by the Urban Forest Fund so far.
Read about previous grant recipients
Funded projects
Why do we need the Urban Forest Fund?
Trees, plants and green open spaces are essential infrastructure in our city. They help to cool the environment, reduce pollution, support biodiversity, improve both mental and physical health and wellbeing, and create a welcoming city for residents, workers and visitors. Additionally, green spaces support a thriving economy in a range of ways, such as boosting pedestrian traffic, improving productivity and increasing tourism.
At a time when Melbourne is experiencing rapid population growth and increasing impacts of climate change, the green elements of our city are more important than ever.
Approximately 75 per cent of the land within the City of Melbourne municipal area is privately owned or managed, so there is huge potential for the private realm to contribute towards greening our city.
City of Melbourne created the Urban Forest Fund to accelerate greening across our city. The Urban Forest Fund aims to build partnerships between government and the private sector to deliver additional greening above and beyond existing Council capital works investment. Melbourne is a truly liveable city, and we want to collaborate with the community to make our city even better.
Exceptional tree maintenance rebate program
In 2026, we’re piloting a new rebate program through our Urban Forest Fund to support residential property owners maintain exceptional trees on their property. Visit the Exceptional Tree Register website for more information.
Support the Urban Forest Fund
City of Melbourne has a range of programs delivering greening in the city, but we can do so much more if we partner with others.
We’re seeking corporate organisations, charities and NGOs to help us deliver a great green legacy for Melbourne.
Got an idea to partner with the Urban Forest Fund, or want to make a financial contribution? Get in touch at urbanforestfund@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
Agnes Street Garden Project
Biodiversity at Yarra Point, Docklands
Connect, protect, respect - The Avenue, Parkville
Greening Howlett Street
Melbourne SkyFarm
Printmakers Lane
Tribeca Greening
Agnes Street Garden Project
Biodiversity at Yarra Point, Docklands
Connect, protect, respect - The Avenue, Parkville
Greening Howlett Street
Melbourne SkyFarm
Printmakers Lane
Tribeca Greening
Contact us
Phone
