Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) Activity – Inclusive Communities Grants 2021

The Australian Government is inviting applications in an open process to apply to deliver services under the Families and Communities Program – Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) Activity – Inclusive Communities Grants from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024.

These Grants aim to support vulnerable and disadvantaged people to participate socially and economically through local community-driven solutions that build self-reliance and empowerment. The Grants will focus on supporting people of working age (15-64 years) in geographic areas of high socio-economic disadvantage across all states and territories.

This includes addressing barriers to participating in community activities, reducing social isolation, developing soft skills and promoting social and economic participation through funding projects that support:

the development of young people aged 12-18 who are, or are at risk of, disengagement, marginalisation and having limited engagement with education/training.
people with disabilities and/or mental health issues to participate in their community, and become/remain independent and engaged.
vulnerable women who are, or at risk of, isolation or discrimination to participate in their community and increase their sense of self agency and empowerment.
people who are unemployed to address individual barriers to employment and increase their capacity to engage with existing employment/training services and/or work towards gaining employment.

A total of up to $63.0 million (GST exclusive) over 5 years is available for the Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) Activity – Inclusive Communities Grants.

This grant opportunity seeks applications for projects to be delivered over 2 years from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024. Grant funding of up to $180,000 per year (GST exclusive), per project will be available to eligible organisations to deliver one-off time-limited projects in their communities. The maximum grant amount is $360,000 (GST exclusive).

The intended outcomes of the program relate to strengthened community connections, economic and social participation and increased levels of self-reliance, wellbeing and mental health. Outcomes may be achieved at a group or individual level and across one or multiple disadvantaged cohorts. Funded projects under the program may achieve one or more of the following intended outcomes:

increased social, civic and economic participation
increased social cohesion, connection and functioning within communities
reduced levels of social isolation/increased sense of belonging in communities
people are self-reliant, empowered and experience improved mental health
people are engaged with education, training and work-ready services and activities
people have improved work skills and increased opportunities for paid work
people engage with and sustain engagement with community services and activities
people are engaged with skills development and learning opportunities in their communities
people have improved connections and linkages to services that further support their increased social, civic and economic participation

Funding will be available to eligible organisations to deliver one-off, time-limited, projects in their communities. Projects may include a trial, seed or start-up project to establish new activities, short-term interventions, or expand or reframe the delivery of existing activities.

Eligibility

The grant must be used to deliver an approved project that meets the aims and objectives of the funded activity (outlined in Section 2 of the Guidelines) and as defined in your grant agreement.

Activities might include delivery of education and training, mentoring, counselling, and/or programs that build resilience, leadership, self-care and social and/or economic engagement skills to support one or more of the identified cohorts.

The grant fund can be used to pay for:

staff salaries and on-costs, which can be directly attributed to the provision of the grant program in the identified service area or areas as per the grant agreement
employee training for paid and unpaid staff including Committee and Board members, that is relevant, appropriate and in line with the grant program
operating and administration expenses directly related to the project as per the grant agreement, such as: