To kick start 2021, the Coalition Government is opening applications for the Building Better Regions Fund and the Stronger Communities Programme on January 12th and 19th respectively.
I encourage local councils and community groups across Maranoa to mark these dates in their diaries and familiarise themselves with the guidelines for these grant opportunities.
BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND ROUND FIVE – $200 million available
Throughout rural and regional Australia, we have $100 million of targeted support for tourism-related infrastructure to get regional tourism back on its feet, while maintaining $100 million for broader community infrastructure and investment.
Our region has already benefitted from previous rounds of the BBRF with investments in crucial projects driving economic growth in Maranoa and delivering lasting benefits to our local communities.
Today, the Australian Government has launched the program guidelines meaning prospective applicants can begin planning their project applications for assessment.
BBRF consists of two main application streams:
– Infrastructure Projects Stream – Round Five
The Round Five Infrastructure Projects Stream supports investment ready projects that provide economic and social benefits for regional and remote areas.
- Grants of $20,000 to $10 million to cover 50% or more of eligible project costs.
- Eligibility: An incorporated not-for-profit, local government agency or body or non-distributing co-operative.
- https://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/building-better-regions-fund-infrastructure-projects-stream
– Community Investments Stream – Round Five
The Round Five Community Investments Stream supports new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans or leadership and capability strengthening activities that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.
- Grants of $5000 to $1 million to cover 50% or more of eligible project costs.
- Eligibility: An incorporated not-for-profit, local government agency or body or non-distributing co-operative.
- https://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/building-better-regions-fund-community-investments-stream
The guidelines have now been released and can be found at www.business.gov.au/bbrf. Applications open on 12 January 2021 and close on 5 March 2021. Successful applicants are expected to be announced in mid-2021.
To request a letter of support, please send me an email and include the project details, requested funding, total project cost, applicant’s details and a point of contact.
STRONGER COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME ROUND 6 – $22.65 million available
The Stronger Communities Programme provides each of the 151 Federal electorates with $150,000 to fund small capital projects. These projects aim to improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant, viable communities.
Round 6 of the program will continue to support Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. For this special round, grant funding will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs except for local governing bodies where grant funding will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs.
Your grant request must be between $2500 and $20,000.
For this special round ‘in kind’ expenditure is not eligible expenditure.
Projects under round 6 of the program will have up to 31 December 2021 to be delivered.
To be eligible, you must:
- Complete the attached Expression of Interest form (attached)
- have an Australian business number (ABN)
You must also be one of the following incorporated entities:
- an incorporated not for profit organisation
- an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust with responsibility for a community asset or property
- a local governing body as defined by the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995
Incorporated not for profit organisations can include:
- incorporated associations
- non-distributing co-operatives
- companies limited by a guarantee
- Indigenous corporations
- religious organisations incorporated under legislation
If you have a project that you believe is eligible for funding under the Stronger Communities Programme – please complete the attached EOI nomination form and submit this to my office before 18th February 2021. Forms should be emailed to David.Littleproud.MP@aph.gov.au.
I encourage all Maranoa councils and community groups to apply under these grant opportunities for a share in the $222.65 million available.