Stronger Communities Programme Round 8
As the Federal Member for Hughes, I am delighted to be participating in the Stronger Communities Programme Round 8 (Programme). This Programme provides support to deliver social benefits in our community by funding small capital projects in our electorate.
For Round 8 of the Programme, $150,000 is available to each federal electorate, including Hughes, for eligible small capital projects that:
encourage and support participation in local projects
improve local community participation; and
contribute to vibrant and viable communities.
The Programme is ultimately administered through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (Department).
Programme Details
A maximum of 20 projects will be funded in each electorate.
The Programme aims to support communities to recover from the widespread impacts of adverse weather events and current economic pressures.
For Round 8, grant funding will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs except for local governing bodies where grant funding will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs. Local governing bodies must provide matched funding contributions towards their eligible project.
Importantly, for each project:
The minimum grant amount is $2,500
The maximum grant amount is $20,000
The maximum cost of each project cannot exceed $50,000
Community consultation is a critical element of the Programme. Grants will be awarded through a closed non-competitive process assessed against the Programme eligibility criteria.
The process involves assessment and recommendation of applications by the Hughes Stronger Communities Programme Committee (Committee). This Committee contains representatives from the local community. The Committee will make recommendations to me to identify potential applicants and projects in the Hughes electorate. The identified projects must be consistent with the intended outcomes of the Programme and eligibility criteria.
To be eligible your project must:
be a small capital works or capital expenditure project
deliver social benefits to your community
include eligible activities and eligible expenditure
have at least $2,500 in eligible expenditure unless the applicant is a local governing body which requires at least $5,000 in eligible expenditure
have a maximum project cost of $50,000
be completed by 31 December 2023
have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be an incorporated association
The following entities are eligible to apply:
local government bodies
incorporated not-for-profit organisations
incorporated trustees on behalf of a trust with responsibility for a community asset or property
Examples include:
PCYCs, child care centres, OOSH, surf clubs, P&Cs, sporting clubs, government agencies such as a fire service, RFS, SES, religious organisations, and Indigenous corporations.
How do I apply?
Applying for a Hughes Stronger Communities Programme Grant is a two-step process.
If your organisation is in the electorate of Hughes, I encourage you to complete the Expression of Interest and return to my office by
Friday 17 March 2023. To submit your form, please email Jenny.Ware.MP@aph.gov.au or visit my office at Shop 1, 9-15 East Parade, Sutherland, 2232.If your EOI is approved you will be invited to complete a detailed formal grant application through an online portal which will then be assessed by the Department.
Next Steps
Key dates for the Programme include:
All expression of interest applications to be returned to my office by midday 17 March 2023
Expressions of Interest will be assessed by the Consultation Committee by 24 March 2023
The Department will assess EOI eligibility from 27 March 2023
If your formal grant application is successful you will be notified by my office after the portal closes on 10 May 2023
The project must be completed by 31 December 2023
For more information on the grant, please contact my office on (02) 9521 6262 or Jenny.Ware.MP@aph.gov.au or visit https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-communities-programme-round-8.