Deadline: 25-May-23
Applications are now open for the ConnectGroups’ Dream it Forward Program (DIF), a small grants program focused on strengthening, sustaining, or adding value to grassroots, community-led projects that:
- Positively impact the social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, and communities in Western Australia.
- Strengthen cultural identity and apply culturally-informed ways of healing to improve social and emotional wellbeing.
- Reduce risk factors and operate a range of activities to increase community protection against psychological distress.
Funding Information
- Applications up to $7,000.00 for projects. Suggestions include but are not limited to:
- Delivering on-country camps/trips, healing workshops, therapeutic art therapy, cultural transmission;
- Opportunities that connect people to culture, country and community, and strengthens cultural identity;
- Men’s Groups or Women’s Groups;
- Identifying an opportunity to engage with at-risk groups;
- Partnering between community and ACCOs to have wider impact;
- Project budgets must be detailed, specific and transparent, and accompanied by quotes where possible.
Outcomes
Grants will be awarded to applicants whose projects aim to achieve some of the following outcomes:
- Focus on hope and healing
- Connection to country
- Strengthen cultural identity
- Involvement of Elders
- Prevention of psychological distress
- Strengths-focused
- Address intergenerational trauma and grief
- Increased social connectedness, belonging and purpose
- Strengthen individual, family, kinship and community wellbeing
- Create a positive environment that improves people’s awareness and access to services and natural supports
- Increase awareness about the project/service to the community and to other organisations
- Project sustainability beyond the life of the grant
Key Elements
- Embed cultural understanding into the design and delivery of activities that enhance quality of life, and holistically promote wellbeing.
- Connection to country, culture, spirituality, family, and community.
- Projects must be based on needs identified by the community for the community and must be informed by evidence of what works for Aboriginal people.
- Projects should demonstrate clear objectives and outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Funding is open to community groups or leaders, Elders, ACCOs (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations) or any community member with a healing-focused initiative meeting the intent of the program and provides a culturally responsive approach.
- Programs and services must take place in Western Australia and directly benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities in Western Australia.
- Applicants must not be in receipt of funding and/or under a Service Agreement from the WA Mental Health Commission.
- Note: there is no direct exchange of funds between ConnectGroups and grant recipients. ConnectGroups will be responsible for all payments to vendors, service providers, Elders, Traditional Owners, consultants, guest speakers, and will facilitate that process to allow grant holders to focus on the outcomes of their project. ConnectGroups will acquit the grant to the Mental Health Commission directly
For more information, visit ConnectGroups.