Deadline: 27-Dec-22
The NSW Ministry of Health is calling Expression of Interest: Peer-based Harm Reduction at NSW Music Festivals.
Program Objective
- The program aims to ensure that:
- Music festival patrons at risk of drug-related harms are identified early and supported to access medical care or other interventions.
- Music festival patrons are equipped with tailored, evidence-based, and credible information, education, messaging, and resources on how to prevent or minimise drug-related harms.
- Peer-based harm reduction services are delivered by a trained and well-prepared workforce to support patrons in the music festival context.
- Peer-based harm reduction services are collaborative, well-connected and coordinated with other key festival stakeholders.
- Peer-based harm reduction services contribute to strengthening the evidence-base on drug-use and harm reduction approaches in the NSW music festival context.
- Peer-based harm reduction services contribute to monitoring and evaluation studies of the impact of broader harm reduction measures, as described in the Guidelines, implemented at music festivals.
- This program is administered by NSW Health.
Scope
- Peer-based harm reduction services must have no other role at festivals, such as medical care, security or bar staff, to ensure there is no conflict between the delivery of peer-based harm reduction interventions and other responsibilities onsite.
- The provision of onsite medical support at music festivals is outside the scope of practice of peer-based harm reduction services and is provided by the private onsite medical provider, NSW Ambulance, and NSW Health.
- Service providers will be engaged to support music festivals throughout the year, noting that the bulk of peer-support services are expected to be required during the peak festival season, which typically runs from October to April.
- Following the introduction of the Act, it is a requirement that subject music festivals have at least one peer-based harm reduction service provider supporting the festival. Some music festivals not considered subject festivals by ILGA are also encouraged to engage a peer-based harm reduction service appropriate to the event profile and likelihood of drug-related harms, however these festivals are not within the scope of this EOI.
- Peer-based harm reduction services must be adept at navigating the complex line between supporting their target population to reduce harms associated with illicit drug use, while operating within an environment in which use of some drugs is criminalised.
Funding Information
- Grant amount: Up to $500,000 each year for 4 years to be allocated between successful applicants
Eligibility Criteria
- Non-Government organisations, not-for-profit organisations and for-profit organisations.
Ineligible
- Individuals, State Government.
For more information, visit NSW Ministry of Health.