FAR Northern community groups, not?for?profits and local government organisations are being urged to put their hand up for Round 2 of the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Programme.
The programme, announced in this year’s Budget, is providing $150,000 per year for two years to every electorate in Australia to fund small capital projects which deliver social benefits.
“We had a really good response to Round 1,” said Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch. “Projects were submitted from a whole range of local groups from Cairns to Port Douglas, Cape York and the Torres Strait, for items such as new sporting infrastructure, community kitchen fit-outs, office equipment and Men’s Shed upgrades.
“We’re now waiting on the results of Round 1, but in the meantime we’re keen to get the process for Round 2 underway so that people have plenty of time over the Christmas and New Year break to get their applications organised.”
Mr Entsch has partnered with Building Active Connected Communities FNQ (BACC) – an initiative of the Bendigo Bank, which has been supporting local organisations through small grants and sustainable revenue streams for many years under its former name, Cairns Community Enterprise.
The BACC Committee will independently assess the initial applications and prioritise projects. These projects, totalling $150,000, will then be invited to complete a formal online application in early 2016, with the aim of funding being delivered in the 2016-17 financial year.
BACC chairman Stephen Devenish said the Committee was impressed with the quality, innovation and diversity of the projects selected in Round 1 and were keen to see what Round 2 would bring.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for local groups whose small capital works or infrastructure projects will have broad benefits for the community – I’d urge them to get involved,” he said.
“It’s also timely that since Round 1 was announced, we’ve rebranded and our new name – Building Active Connected Communities FNQ (BACC) – is a perfect fit with the aims of the Stronger Communities Programme. It really says what we – and the partnership – are all about.”
Applicants can apply for funding of at least $5,000 and up to a maximum of $20,000 and must provide matching cash or in?kind funding on at least a dollar?for?dollar basis.
Mr Entsch said that organisations must submit their Expression of Interest to his office by 4pm on Friday 5th February.
The EOI form is available to download below, or a fillable Word document can be emailed to applicants – please send requests to warren.entsch.mp@aph.gov.au or phone 4051 2220.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the Stronger Communities Programme guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions which are available below or through the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/SCP