$30 MILLION ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY AND PLACE PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations and Groups can apply for funding to meet Closing the Gap targets thanks to the NSW Government’s $30 million Community and Place Grants Program.

As part of the NSW Government’s 2022-24 Closing the Gap Implementation Plan, grants of up to $250,000 will be available to fund one-off projects including programs, equipment, vehicles and infrastructure to support Aboriginal Organisations and Groups to deliver immediate outcomes under Closing the Gap.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said he encourages all Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations and Groups across the State to apply for funding.

“I am proud to announce, with NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations, this significant funding outlined within the Closing the Gap Implementation Plan 2022-2024, which represents the Government’s commitment to driving real and meaningful change for Aboriginal communities,” Mr Franklin said.

“Gone are the days of Government telling Aboriginal communities we know what’s best for them. We know that by investing in local community initiatives we will significantly increase the likelihood of NSW achieving our targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

“This Program is a direct outcome from the partnership between the NSW Government and NSW CAPO to ensure Aboriginal communities and groups are resourced to deliver tangible outcomes on the ground.”

The NSW Government’s Second Implementation Plan with NSW CAPO will also be released today.

NSW CAPO Co-Chair Charles Lynch said the Community and Place Grants provided an opportunity for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to access funding for initiatives not covered elsewhere.

"These grants directly respond to needs identified by our communities that must be addressed in the short term,” Mr Lynch said.

“By empowering Aboriginal communities to invest in projects that reflect their individual priorities, we can tangibly shift the dial on Closing the Gap targets at a local level.”

Applications for the Community and Place Grants Program 2022/2023 will open Monday 5 September and close Friday 30 September 2022.

For more information, guidelines and to apply, visit the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website at https://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/grants/

For more information on the NSW Implementation Plan on Closing the Gap, visit the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website at https://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/closingthegap/