$65 million to champion community cohesion

Community organisations will benefit from more than $65 million in funding to help build inclusive and resilient communities.

The Minister for Social Services Christian Porter opened the Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) grants round today to help local organisations overcome disadvantage and build strong and safe communities and increase national security.

“These grants will provide organisations working in disadvantaged areas with $45million to help increase social cohesion in areas of high cultural diversity where there is risk of racial, religious or cultural intolerance developing,” Minister Porter said.

“Through this grants round, community organisations can benefit from up to $500,000 in funding for each project they deliver over the life of the program to 2021.

Minister Porter said funded projects may include:

• the development of online platforms for marginalised youth to challenge ideas and concepts online and create forums to counter negativity and feelings of isolation;
• training or volunteering opportunities for humanitarian entrants or newly arrived migrants; and
• cultural or sporting activities that bring people of different cultures or faiths together.

“This is an important grassroots approach to bring people in from the margins, establish social harmony and help strengthen resilience across communities,” Minister Porter said.

A further $19.95 million will fund Volunteer Management Activity until 2021 to encourage and increase volunteering in communities across Australia.

“Evidence shows that well integrated and cohesive communities are underpinned by high-levels of volunteering and community participation, a strong sense of community belonging, local leadership and engagement,” Minister Porter said.

Applications for SARC’s Inclusive Communities Grants and Community Resilience Grants are open until 23 August 2017.

For more information or to apply for a grant, go to the GrantConnect website at www.grants.gov.au.