Time running out to apply for a Community Resilience Grant

Published on 15 June 2020

Time is running out for community groups and not-for-profit organisations located within the Gannawarra to apply for up to $5,000 in funding to support community-led initiatives thanks to the Gannawarra Community Resilience Grants Program.

Applications for the popular $40,000 program, first developed in late 2019 by the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee, close at 5pm on Friday, 26 June.

“Funded by the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension, the Gannawarra Community Resilience Grants Program supports a variety of small activities that promote community-led activity and mental health and wellbeing,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“It is important that, as a community, we continue to unite and support each other, and this program is one way to contribute to initiatives that assist to keep our communities connected.”

The program guidelines detail priority areas for applicants to consider. Some of these include:

• Equipment purchases;
• Community gardens and other projects that improve food security;
• Art programs, particularly those that build new skills across the community;
• Activities that value add to local community markets;
• Projects that support children, young people and their families;
• Tree planting and landscaping projects that improve the local environment;
• Projects that promote the Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give;
• Other projects that promote more sustainable long-term outcomes for the Gannawarra community.

“Regardless of how small projects are, I encourage community groups and organisations to look at the program guidelines, which are available at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/grants and determine whether projects or activities planned would benefit from this funding,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“I also encourage community groups to package up a range of very small projects into one project that help rejuvenate communities and reduce the burden on volunteers. Examples could include paint to brighten up a public space, timber to fix up seating, gravel to fill up some holes, softfall for playgrounds or a new watering system for a community garden.

“Applications will also be welcomed for any projects that help ‘respark’ our Gannawarra communities and instil hope and confidence for the future.”

Applications can be submitted online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/grants

ABOVE: The Gannawarra Community Resilience Grants Program supported projects such as an art installation at Lake Charm.