Deadline: 11-Mar-22
The Better Beginnings Family Literacy Community Grants Program is now open to build on the aims and messages of the Better Beginnings program and encourages partnerships across public libraries and community groups to develop relevant literacy activities, events, publications, programs which focus on:
- the crucial parent-child relationship essential for the highest impact of early literacy development (0-5 years), and/or
- increasing access for the key vulnerable communities identified as displaying low literacy levels against Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) domains.
The key aim of Better Beginnings is to support the development of literacy in children from birth; providing them with greater potential to grow, learn and develop, perform well at school and succeed in later life. Improved literacy levels across Western Australia contribute to the creation of a skilled workforce and future economic development.
Priorities
Priorities will apply to applications to the Better Beginnings Family Literacy Community Grants Program.
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Applications for both the Micro and the Innovation Grants must:
- Increase the engagement and connection between parent and child in early literacy activities (0-5 years of age), building confidence in families to read, talk, sing, write and play; or
- Explore new ways to engage families and the community in early literacy activities, reaching new participants who have been difficult to engage before;
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Applications for the Innovation grant must also:
- Address barriers to participation for regional and remote, Indigenous, CALD or disadvantaged communities;
- Indicate opportunities for sustainability beyond this funding program’s investment; and
- Build new partnerships across community/ health/ cultural groups and organisations, that embed literacy outcomes in the longer term.
Funding Categories
Based upon consultation, funding of $200,000 per annum is available in the following categories:
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Better Beginnings Micro Grants
- A pool of $80,000 per year for micro grants, from $5,000 up to $10,000 for public libraries and community groups or organisations.
- Innovative small projects can include new program development, community book production, interactive technology, new events, increased marketing and promotion to new communities, targeted bi-lingual or cultural projects that promote the early literacy messages aligned with Better Beginnings aims.
- The micro grants may be used for the development and testing of new initiatives that may become eligible for the Better Beginnings Innovation Program Grants.
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Better Beginnings Innovation Grants
- A pool of $120,000 per year for longer term programs, or innovative partnerships between public libraries and community groups and organisations, from $10,000 up to $30,000.
- Innovative programs and/or partnerships will address early childhood vulnerabilities against AEDC language and cognitive measures for school readiness, target multicultural and/or Indigenous communities, increase access through development of innovative sensory or play based learning initiatives.
- Innovative cross-community partnerships that strengthen health, social and cultural responses to early literacy development are encouraged.
Eligibility Criteria
Public libraries, not-for-profit community groups and organisations already established and operating in WA are welcome to apply, however:
- organisations must be registered under law (e.g. incorporated association, company limited by guarantee);
- un-incorporated groups, teams, or partnerships informally collaborating on an activity must be based in Western Australia and require a public library or incorporated community group to act as an auspicing body. Please speak to the Better Beginnings team before commencing your application;
- WA educational institutions (kindergartens, primary schools) cannot apply for curriculum-based activity;
- if you are applying on behalf of Aboriginal people you must provide evidence of significant Aboriginal involvement in the conception, development of and participation in the activity;
- Individuals may not apply for this funding alone, and must be part of a group, organisation, or partnership.
For more information, visit Better Beginnings.
For more information, visit https://www.better-beginnings.com.au/grants