The overarching purpose of this grants program is to reduce racism and intersectional experiences of discrimination by building stronger, more resilient, and more cohesive communities.

Initiatives uplift local government capacity and/or engage their communities to address racism and discrimination as well as align with the Local Government Social Cohesion Program Logic by strengthening connections within communities, between communities or between communities and institutions.

The requested funds contribute towards the cost of delivering a range of activities, including but not limited to:

• The purchase of equipment (including software) if it is integral to the activity this must be factored into the budget as well as the specific usage of this equipment for the project.
• Devolved funding programs for service organisations.
• Applicants may allocate funds requested to staff-related costs. These costs must be directly related to the proposed project.
• Activities can be a one-off or time-limited activity, or series of events with specific goals and conditions. The project will have defined responsibilities for all contractors and external personnel, a proposed budget, an iterative project plan, and a specific start date and end date.

Initiatives do not need to meet all outcomes listed on the program logic (page 8 of the guidelines) but must identify and address at least one of the following program outcomes:

• Connection and belonging within communities are strengthened (9)
• Connection and belonging between communities are strengthened (10)
• Connection and trust between communities and institutions are strengthened (11)

To be eligible:

• Applicants must be a NSW Local Government (operating under the Local Government Act 1993). (Applicants who applied for funding in previous rounds regardless of success are welcome to apply.)
• The application must not be for an existing project or funded from council or other sources.
• The application should seek funding for a project that seek to uplift local government capacity and/or to engage meaningfully with their communities to address racism and intersectional experiences of discrimination.
• The application must clearly describe the social cohesion challenge/s in the community related to racism and intersectional experiences of discrimination. The application must address how this project may seek to respond to these challenges.
• The application must align with the NSW Social Cohesion Grants for Local Government Program Logic and links to one or more of the program outcomes (see section 1. 2 of the guidelines).

• Email: Connectedcommunities@premiersdeparment.nsw.gov.au