'LOCAL ANSWERS’ FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY - APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW
The Member for Berowra today welcomed the announcement of another round of funding for the Australian Government’s Local Answer’s initiative and encouraged local organisations to apply for a share of the $20 million available. The fifth round of funding was part of the
$137 million Local Answers which is part of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.
“Local Answers projects are designed to strengthen local communities by funding local, small-scale, time-limited projects that help identify opportunities to develop skills, support children and families,” Mr Ruddock said.
“Round Five allows organisations to apply for up to $300,000, over two years, for projects which will encourage a preventative and early intervention approach to strengthening the community and building our ability to give children a better start in life.
This round provides funding, not only to new projects, but also continued funding to those projects either currently funded or previously funded under Local Answers or the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy. Projects apply for continued funding must demonstrate the results achieved to date.
Eligible projects could include activities which build effective parenting and relationship skills and build skills and opportunities to make families and communities more self-reliant.
The applications should also show how projects will assist individuals to get involved in community life through local volunteering, mentoring or training to build leadership skills.
“I encourage anyone in our community who believes they have a local project that addresses local needs to lodge an application,” Philip Ruddock said.
Guidelines and application form for Local Answers Round Five are available from the Department of Families, Communities and Indigenous Affairs website on www.facsia.gov.au/sfcs. Applications open on 27 April 2007, and close at 5 pm,
25 May 2007.