Community groups are encouraged to apply for a Community Strengthening Grant from Council in the program’s first round for 2022, with grant workshops starting in March.
Applications for the first round of Council’s Community Strengthening Grants in 2022 will be open from 1 April to 2 May. Grants of up to $10,000 will be available in four streams: Healthy Active Living – to support recreation, sport, health and wellbeing projects, Creative Community – to support arts and culture projects, Environment and Sustainability – to support projects that improve the environment, Community Safety – to support projects that equip communities to be safe and resilient.
To support community groups in applying for a Community Strengthening Grant, Council is running drop-in sessions across the Shire. Community members are encouraged to stop by and discuss their project ideas at one of 16 sessions.
Drop-in sessions will be held at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre, 27 High Street, Bannockburn, from 12 to 3pm on Thursdays 17 and 31 March and 14 April; and at The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale from 10am to 4pm on Thursday 24 March and from 12 to 4 pm on Thursdays 7 and 21 April. The following drop-in sessions will also be held online and across the Shire:
Tuesday 15 March: 5 to 7pm to be held online via Zoom
Thursday 17 March: 4 to 5.15pm at Teesdale Community Hall, Shelford-Bannockburn Road and 5.30 to 6.30pm at Inverleigh Hall, 71 High Street
Thursday 24 March: 4.30 to 5.30pm at Linton Shire Hall, Sussex Street and 6 to 7pm at Dereel Soldiers Memorial Hall, 14 Swamp Street
Thursday 31 March: 4 to 5.15pm at Meredith Community Centre, 4 Russell Street
Tuesday 5 April: 5 to 7pm to be held online via Zoom
Thursday 7 April: 4.30 to 5.30pm at Linton Shire Hall
Thursday 14 April: 4 to 5.15pm at Teesdale Community Hall and 5.30 to 6.30pm at Inverleigh Hall
Thursday 21 April: 5 to 6pm at Dereel Soldiers Memorial Hall
Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble encouraged all Golden Plains community groups to apply for the annual grant program.
“The Community Strengthening Grants Program is a valuable source of financial support for local events, projects and programs in communities across Golden Plains Shire and I encourage local community groups to apply for a grant in this upcoming round.
“If you’re part of a local community group that has an idea for a project, event or program but aren’t sure where to begin with your application, the upcoming drop-in sessions are a great opportunity to discuss your ideas and learn more about the application process.
“Council is committed to supporting local community groups and the Community Strengthening Grant program will help deliver dynamic and meaningful projects that celebrate and strengthen healthy and active living, creativity, our environment and community safety in Golden Plains.”
In 2021, Council awarded $119,522 to 28 Golden Plains community groups in two rounds of the Community Strengthening Grants Program. The funding supported a diverse range of valuable projects including improving community facilities, helping communities to get active and supporting new and existing local events.
For more information about the program and the drop-in sessions, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Community Partnerships Officer at 5220 7111 or [email protected].