Not-for-profit Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) anywhere in WA can now apply for a share of the $3.4 million Closing the Gap funding through a new grants program calling for new ideas to improve priority community services.
The sector strengthening grant program was launched by the WA Government to help ACCOs progress towards targets and outcomes in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The grant criteria and guidelines were developed with the input of the Social Services Committee of the Aboriginal Health Council of WA, which is working to develop a WA peak body for the ACCO sector.
The grants will go towards strengthening the Aboriginal community-controlled sector to deliver high-quality, sustainable services and outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities.
Grant applications are invited from organisations who want to improve, expand or develop initiatives across priority areas that include housing, health, disability, and early childhood care and development sectors.
The program seeks to support ACCOs to be positioned to compete for and deliver service contracts and grants, actively participate in policy development and program service design in the four priority sectors, support workforce and skill development for Aboriginal people and collaborate with other organisations to achieve community outcomes.
This could include creating and developing strategic and operational plans, establishing workforce development initiatives, purchasing new technology and software, and more.
The grants will be administered by Lotterywest, who have a strong history of supporting ACCOs and Aboriginal communities through their Community Investment Framework.
Lotterywest will work with ACCOs to explore their idea, and if it aligns, work in partnership to bring it to life and develop a strong grant application.
Grants applications that do not meet the criteria could still be eligible for other funding through the Lotterywest Community Investment Framework.
For more information about the grants and to register an idea as the first step visit: www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/grants/grant-opportunities/sector-strengthening-grants
Registration closes on 7 December, 2022.
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti:
“The McGowan Government recognises that investing in foundations and futures is critical to strengthening our partnership with Aboriginal people and communities, and understands that ACCO organisations are best placed to identify ideas that will achieve meaningful impact.
“We are grateful to the Aboriginal Health Council’s Social Services Committee for their assistance in developing the grant criteria, and for providing a critical link to the ACCO peak body as it begins to take shape.
“Our Government is looking forward to seeing the variety of ideas and initiatives that come through this grant process, and the opportunities to build on our commitments through the Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy and Closing the Gap by reshaping how we work with culture.”
As stated by Lotterywest and Healthway CEO Ralph Addis:
“Lotterywest has a long history of supporting ACCOs and Aboriginal communities and it’s great we can extend this impact through our partnership with the WA Government.
“Even if your idea does not fit the criteria for this grant funding, I encourage you to still register as it may be eligible for a Lotterywest grant via our Community Investment Framework.”
