By Julian Leeser
Round 6 of the Stronger Communities Programme is now open for Expressions of Interest.
The programme funds small capital projects that aim to improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant viable communities.
In the past the Stronger Communities Program has helped to fund and bring many life great projects in our community. These include the renovation and repurposing of a building to provide a new day service to support maturing clients at Inala in Cherrybrook, the purchasing of a new van for the Hills Community Op Shop, the renovation of Studio ARTES’ performance space in Hornsby and many more.
This round of the program will support Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. For this special round, the grant funding for each project will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs, except for local councils where grant funding will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs.
Grants will be available between $2,500 and $20,000 for successful applications.
Further details on eligibility criteria and how to apply are available at https://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/strongercommunities-programme
To be considered, please submit an expression of interest (EOI) to my office before 5pm Thursday 25 February 2021. EOI forms are available at www.julianleeser.com.au/scp6
The expressions of interest will go before a community panel and the best projects will then be invited to formally apply for funding.
Examples of eligible projects include fit out, alterations and/or extensions of community spaces, upgrades of sporting facilities and fields such as new scoreboards, or the purchase of musical instruments, sports equipment and uniforms that remain the property of the organisation.
In the past we have delivered projects with scouting groups, Lifeline Asquith, Streetwork, churches, school P&Cs and RFS brigades, among others.
If you have a vision for a project in our community, I would love to hear from you.
