Women’s Participation Grant Program (Australia)

The Grant Program further aims to provide funding to support organisations, and community groups for innovative projects to improve the health, wellbeing, and safety of ACT women and gender diverse people.

Aim

• The Grants support innovative projects that address the priorities of the ACT Women’s Plan 2016- 26 (ACT Women’s Plan) and the supporting Third Action Plan 2023-26. This includes projects or research that have a positive impact on women, girls and gender diverse people by advancing gender equality in the ACT; leading to better understanding or better outcomes for women who experience multiple forms of discriminations due to intersecting factors such as gender identity, poverty, disability, age, violence, trauma, ethnicity, and language barriers.

Priorities

• The Women’s Participation Grant Program has 5 priority areas for projects and initiatives, which align with the priorities identified in the ACT Women’s Plan:
  • Health and Wellbeing: There is a need for services and initiatives which respond to the different requirements of women and men and recognise that some health issues are particularly influential for women’s wellbeing.
  • Housing and Homelessness: There is a need for support for women to access sustainable housing to be responsive to the particular needs of women.
  • Safety: Safety and perceptions of safety in public places are key to women’s equal and full participation.
  • Economic Security: Progress on women’s economic security includes consideration of factors such as girl’s access to education and measures to facilitate girls to excel in subjects including in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
  • Leadership: It is vital that decision making bodies are reflective of the communities they represent and that women with a range of life experiences and backgrounds are able to take up leadership positions.

Funding Information

• The total funding available under this Program is $80,000
• The maximum grant an individual can apply for is $5,000
• The maximum grant an organisation can apply for is $20,000
• Duration: Successful recipients will have 12 months from the date of the Letter of Offer to expend the funding.

Eligible Projects

• Eligible projects must:
  • Achieve outcomes in line with the priorities of the ACT Women’s Plan
  • Occur primarily in the ACT
  • Have not received funding from another source to deliver the same or similar project
  • Provide how the program will primarily benefit ACT residents
  • Include all supporting documentation needed for the application.

Ineligible Projects

• The following will not be funded:
  • Projects that do not contribute to or meet the aims and priorities this program
  • Projects that are not delivered primarily within the ACT or benefits the ACT community
  • Projects requiring ongoing funding to sustain the project or activity
  • Projects or activities already funded by the ACT Government or Australia Government, or where alternative sources of funding are available
  • Projects that are a duplication of, or in parallel with an existing service, program, project, or event
  • General administration and operational costs such as salaries, memberships, subscription fees, communication and IT, stationery, rent, leasing, or utilities, machinery, vehicles, or large capital equipment of any kind.

Eligibility Criteria 

• Individuals: Individuals can apply if they:
  • Reside in the ACT (A copy of an ACT Driver’s License or Proof of Identity Card, or proof of residency stating their current address must be provided)
  • Are over the age of 18 years old, or have a parent, carer or guardian submit the application on their behalf
  • Have not received funding from another source to deliver or provide the same or similar project/program
  • Have no overdue acquittal obligations for any previous Community Services Directorate grant. All overdue acquittals must be completed prior to submitting an application
  • Have appropriate insurance (public liability, professional indemnity or other appropriate insurance) to undertake the activity or event. Evidence will be required prior to receiving the grant funding.
• Organisations: Organisations can apply if they:
  • Operate in the ACT
  • Are a non-government, legally incorporated entity or supported by an incorporated auspicing organisation
  • Are a registered not-for-profit or a charitable organisation
  • Have no overdue acquittal obligations for any previous Community Services Directorate grant. All overdue acquittals must be completed prior to submitting an application
  • Have not received funding from another source to deliver or provide the same or similar project/program
  • Have an appropriate insurance cover held by the organisation implementing a funded project. This may include Public Liability of no less than $10 million, Personal Accident, Volunteer Cover and or Directors Professional Indemnity. Evidence of insurance may be required as a condition of the grant.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led organisations and people are encouraged to apply.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Profit making groups, government entities and registered political parties are not eligible to apply.

For more information, visit ACT Government.