Open Call: Play for Equity Fund (Fifth Round)

The Play for Equity Fund is inviting applications from individuals, community groups, and organizations across eligible Pacific countries and territories to support innovative initiatives that promote gender justice and disability inclusion through sport and play. The fund offers grants of up to AUD 15,000 for groups and AUD 8,000 for individuals to help communities develop inclusive, locally driven solutions that strengthen equality, participation, and social change.

About the Play for Equity Fund

The Play for Equity Fund supports grassroots initiatives that use sport and play as powerful tools for social inclusion, gender equality, disability justice, and community empowerment. The fund recognizes that community-led solutions are often the most effective in addressing local challenges and creating lasting change.

The program encourages innovative and intersectional approaches that remove barriers preventing women, girls, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized communities from participating fully in sports, recreation, and community life.

Applications are reviewed by an Advisory Committee comprising experts in women’s rights, feminist leadership, disability justice, and sport from across the Pacific region.

Funding Information

The Play for Equity Fund provides flexible, unrestricted financial support for community-led initiatives.

Funding available includes:

• Community groups and organizations can apply for up to AUD 15,000.
• Individual applicants can apply for up to AUD 8,000.
• Organizations are encouraged to request no more than 50% of their annual organizational income.
• Funding requests should reflect the actual needs and scale of the proposed project.

Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following areas:

• Gender justice.
• Disability justice.
• Community-based activism.
• Sport and recreation.
• Inclusive play.
• Community leadership.
• Social inclusion.
• Women’s leadership.
• Accessible sporting opportunities.
• Innovative community solutions.
• Intersectional approaches to equality.
• Strengthening community participation.

What Types of Projects Can Be Supported?

The fund welcomes projects that:

• Increase participation of women and girls in sports.
• Promote disability inclusion through recreational activities.
• Improve accessibility in sporting environments.
• Support community-led campaigns promoting equality.
• Create inclusive sporting programs for marginalized communities.
• Strengthen leadership among women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
• Use sport and play to address discrimination and exclusion.
• Develop innovative models for community engagement through recreation.

Why This Fund Matters

Sport and play create opportunities for learning, leadership, confidence, health, and social connection. However, many people continue to experience barriers based on gender, disability, identity, or social circumstances.

The Play for Equity Fund helps communities develop practical solutions that:

• Promote equal participation.
• Build stronger and more inclusive communities.
• Empower local leaders.
• Support disability-inclusive development.
• Advance gender equality.
• Encourage community innovation.
• Create sustainable social impact through locally designed initiatives.

Who is Eligible?

The fund is open to a broad range of applicants working within eligible Pacific countries and territories.

Eligible applicants include:

• Registered non-profit organizations.
• Unregistered community-based organizations.
• Sporting organizations.
• Community groups.
• Collectives.
• Cooperatives.
• Grassroots initiatives.
• Individuals aged 18 years or older.

Applicants must be based in one of the following Australian Government Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries or territories:

• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Niue
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Republic of the Marshall Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tokelau
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

The fund welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, including:

• Women.
• Men.
• Nonbinary people.
• Transgender people.
• Persons with disabilities.
• Indigenous communities.
• Under-resourced populations.
• Other marginalized groups.

How the Selection Process Works

Applications are assessed by an independent Advisory Committee with expertise in:

• Women’s rights.
• Feminist activism.
• Disability justice.
• Sport for development.
• Community leadership.

Projects are likely to be evaluated based on:

• Community relevance.
• Innovation.
• Inclusion.
• Feasibility.
• Potential impact.
• Leadership.
• Sustainability.
• Intersectional approach.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Review the eligibility requirements carefully.
2. Develop a community-led project that promotes gender and disability justice through sport or play.
3. Prepare a realistic project budget based on actual needs.
4. Ensure the funding request is appropriate for the proposed activities.
5. Complete the official application form with all required information.
6. Submit the application before the deadline.
7. Await notification following the Advisory Committee’s assessment.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of success:

• Clearly explain the community issue your project addresses.
• Demonstrate how sport or play will create positive social change.
• Show meaningful participation of women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
• Present realistic activities and timelines.
• Prepare a transparent and practical budget.
• Highlight community partnerships and local leadership.
• Explain how the project’s impact can continue after the grant period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Requesting funding without a clear community need.
• Preparing unrealistic budgets.
• Failing to demonstrate community participation.
• Proposing activities unrelated to gender or disability justice.
• Requesting funding that exceeds organizational capacity.
• Providing vague project objectives or expected outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Play for Equity Fund?

The Play for Equity Fund is a grant program that supports community-led initiatives promoting gender equality and disability justice through sport and play across eligible Pacific countries and territories.

2. How much funding can applicants receive?

Community groups and organizations may receive up to AUD 15,000, while individuals may apply for up to AUD 8,000.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include registered and unregistered non-profit organizations, sporting bodies, community groups, collectives, cooperatives, and individuals aged 18 years or older located in eligible Pacific countries and territories.

4. Which countries are eligible?

Eligible locations include Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

5. What types of projects are encouraged?

The fund supports innovative community initiatives that promote gender equality, disability inclusion, accessible sport, community leadership, and social participation through sport and play.

6. Who reviews the applications?

Applications are evaluated by an Advisory Committee composed of specialists in women’s rights, disability justice, feminist activism, and sport from the Pacific region.

7. Are individuals eligible to apply?

Yes. Individuals aged 18 years or older who meet the location requirements may apply for grants of up to AUD 8,000.

Conclusion

The Play for Equity Fund provides an important opportunity for individuals, grassroots organizations, and community groups across the Pacific to develop innovative projects that advance gender equality, disability justice, and inclusive community development through sport and play. By offering flexible grant funding and supporting locally led solutions, the program helps strengthen leadership, increase participation, remove barriers to inclusion, and create lasting positive change within communities.