Improving local community participation and vibrancy
Stronger Communities Programme – Round 8
Closing date: Wednesday 10 May 2023 5:00pm AEST Wed 10 May 2023 5:00pm AEST
What do you get?
Up to $20,000 of funding for capital projects
Who is this for?
Applicants are invited to apply by their local MP.
Overview
The Stronger Communities Programme supports the Australian Government’s commitment to deliver social benefits in communities across Australia. Round 8 of the program will provide $22.7 million to fund small capital projects in each of the 151 federal electorates. The program is part of the government's 2022–23 budget initiatives focussed on making local economies stronger and boosting community organisations.
The program intends to encourage and support participation in local projects, improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities. Round 8 of the program aims to support communities recover from the widespread impacts of adverse weather events and current economic pressures.
For this round, grant funding will be up to 100% of eligible project costs except for local governing bodies where grant funding will be up to 50% of eligible project costs.
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.
Check if you can apply
You can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria are a set of rules that describe who we can consider for this grant.
You can only apply if you are are invited by your local MP.
The rules are in the grant opportunity guidelines.
You can apply if you are invited by your MP and 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.
You can’t apply if you are:
- an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s list of Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme
- an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012)
- a for profit organisation
- an individual
- a partnership
- an unincorporated association
- a Regional Development Australia Committee
- a university, technical college or school
- a hospital
- an Australian, state or territory government agency or body (including government business enterprises) unless listed in section 4.1 of the grant opportunity guidelines.
Partner with other organisations
You can partner with one or more other organisations to deliver the project. You must decide who the lead organisation is.
The lead organisation must fill out the application form. You must provide letters of support from all project partners and have a formal arrangement in place with all parties.
If we give your group the grant, the lead organisation:
- signs the grant agreement
- is responsible for communicating with us and with all project partners
- must deliver the project as outlined in the grant agreement.
You must complete your project by 31 December 2023.
Your project must:
- be located in Australia
- be a small capital works or capital expenditure project
- deliver social benefits to your community
- be nominated by your MP
- be located in your MP's electorate
- include eligible activities and expenditure.
Eligible activities can include:
- fit-out, alterations and/or extensions to existing premises e.g. air-conditioning, kitchen upgrades, fixtures and fittings, painting
- purchase and installation of equipment to be used by your organisation for the benefit of the community, such as ICT hardware and software, or creation of a website
- modifications to leased buildings or grounds, with approval of the owner
- upgrades, fit-out and construction of community spaces, e.g. men's sheds, community centres, scout halls etc.
- development or upgrades of bike paths, streetscapes, skate parks or community gardens
- upgrades of sporting facilities and fields , e.g. scoreboards, seating, goalposts, fit-out of change rooms, canteen, lights, upgrade drainage and water systems, medical equipment, gyms
- musical instruments, sports equipment and uniforms that remain the property of the organisation
- inclusive access to facilities
- upgrade or installation of park furniture and facilities
- State Emergency Service and rural fire brigade equipment
- vehicles and trailers for community transport or services
- projects on school grounds or school property that demonstrate social benefits to the broader community outside the school.
You can apply for a grant between $2,500 and $20,000.
The grant amount is up to 100% of eligible project costs, except for local governing bodies where grant funding will be up to 50% of eligible project costs.
The maximum cost of your project cannot exceed $50,000.
You can use this grant funding for the cost of:
- suppliers, consultants and contracted labour for eligible project activities
- regulatory approvals for eligible capital works or expenditure
- assets such as office furniture, TVs and equipment, motor vehicles, ICT hardware and software
- equipment for eligible project activities
- materials for eligible project activities.
How to apply
Check if you’re ready to apply for a grant
Finding a suitable grant opportunity is just the start of the process to get funding. The application process can take time and effort. Understanding the entire process will help you be grant ready and may improve your chances of getting funding.
Use our checklist to find out what it takes to apply for a grant.
When you're ready to apply
If your local MP invites you to apply, you will receive a link by email to an application form in our online portal. The portal allows you to apply for and manage a grant or service in a secure online environment.
Use the link to apply and:
- Create or log into your portal account.
- Follow the instructions to complete your application.
- Include any mandatory documents.
- Submit your application before the close date.
Make sure you read the grant opportunity guidelines before you apply.
Don’t submit the application until it’s complete.
After you submit your application you will be able to view it online in the grant portal, and print out a copy.
We will assess your application for completeness and check that you meet the eligibility criteria.
Your project must meet all eligibility criteria for us to recommend you for funding.
The Program Delegate decides which grants to approve taking into account the application assessment, availability of grant funds and whether funding a project will be a proper use of public resources.
It is important to note that being invited to apply by your MP does not guarantee that you will be successful.
We know many businesses have concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on grant applications and grant management. When applying for a grant, consider timeframes and constraints that may impact grant activities due to COVID-19.
If COVID-19 has impacted your ability to meet the obligations of your grant agreement, to discuss your circumstances and how we can assist you, you should contact:
- your customer service manager
- an agent at our Contact Centre.
You can find further COVID-19 government financial assistance and support for Australian businesses on our coronavirus information and support for business page.
Sample applications
The best way to understand what information you need to provide is to start an application. We have also provided a version to download at the bottom of this page.
Technical help
See our customer portal's frequently asked questions to help with your queries. If you can't find your answer, contact us for assistance.
We can’t consider the application you submit after the close date under any circumstances.
Past rounds
Contact
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