The Supporting Participation Program (full title - Supporting Participation by Representatives of People with Disability in Key International Forums on Human Rights Program) provides funding for people with disability, through representative and advocacy organisations, to participate in key international disability and human rights forums.

The program aims to ensure the voices and experiences of Australians with disability are represented in global discussions on disability rights, inclusion and policy development.

Funding in 2027 will support participation at the:

United Nations (UN) 20th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP20) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), New York, USA, 9 to 11 June 2027

UN 71st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW71), New York, USA, 8 to 19 March 2027; and

Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), Sendai, Japan, 25 to 29 October 2027.

Delegates will contribute to international discussions on disability rights, build advocacy skills, expand professional networks, and strengthen the Australian disability sector's engagement in global forums. The program includes both General Delegates (aged over 18 years) and Emerging Young Leaders (aged 18 to 35 years), with an emphasis on leadership development, mentoring and capacity building.

Delegates and organisations are expected to actively participate in forum activities, collaborate with stakeholders, meet all program requirements, support delegate wellbeing, manage risks, and share outcomes and learnings with the disability sector. Funding primarily supports in-person attendance, while allowing flexibility for virtual participation where required.

We can only accept applications for individuals with disability from organisations that:

hold UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Consultative Status; or

are accredited to the specific forum applied to, such as COSP Accreditation.

Applicants must be aged 18 or older. Applicants to the Emerging Young Leader Delegation must be aged 18 to 35 at the time of application.

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types:

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006

• Company
• Corporate Commonwealth Entity
• Corporate State or Territory Entity
• Non-corporate State or Territory Entity
• Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority
• Local Government
• Cooperative
• Incorporated Association
• Sole Trader
• Statutory Entity
• Partnership
• Person
• Unincorporated Association

• Email: disability@humanrights.gov.au