Improving local community participation and vibrancy

The Stronger Communities Programme supports the Australian Government’s commitment to deliver social benefits in communities across Australia. Round 5 of the program will provide $22.65 million to fund small capital projects in each of the 151 federal electorates.

The program intends to improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities.

Community consultation is a critical element of the program. In consultation with their community, each MP must identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate and invite them to apply for a grant. Invited applications will be assessed against the program’s eligibility criteria through a closed non-competitive process.

Each electorate has total funding of up to $150,000 that can be allocated to successful applications. A maximum of 20 projects will be funded in each electorate. 

Project details

The grant amount is up to 50% of eligible project costs. Your grant request must be between $2500 and $20,000.

You can fund your share of eligible project costs from any source including from state and local government. Your matching funds contribution can be either cash or in-kind. Where you provide in-kind contributions, you must calculate the dollar value.

You should complete your project by 30 June 2020.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible, you must:

• be invited to apply by your Member of Parliament
• have an Australian business number (ABN)

You must also be one of the following incorporated entities:

• an incorporated not for profit organisation
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust with responsibility for a community asset or property
• a local governing body as defined by the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995

Incorporated not for profit organisations can include:

• incorporated associations
• non-distributing co-operatives
• companies limited by a guarantee
• indigenous not for profit corporations

For the purpose of this program, we also consider the following organisations to be local governing bodies:

• Anangu Pitjantjatjara, Maralinga, Gerard, Nepabunna and Yalata local governing bodies in SA
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council
• Lord Howe Island Board
• Norfolk Island Regional Council
• The Outback Communities Authority
• The Shire of Christmas Island
• The Silverton and Tibooburra villages in NSW
• The Trust Account in the NT
• ACT Government

How do you apply?

Members of Parliament are responsible for the community consultation process. If your local MP invites you to apply, you will receive the link to the online application form in an email.

Read the Grant opportunity guidelines before you apply. The guidelines provide detailed information on the grant opportunity, including:

• granting activity objectives
• eligibility criteria
• the assessment processes
• reporting and acquittal requirements
• a description of review mechanisms

To apply you will need to receive an email invitation from your MP with an application link. You will need to fill in the online application form and attach any mandatory attachments. 

After you submit you application you’ll get a receipt number. You will also have the option to get a copy of your complete application.