2021-05-18
Assistant Minister for Seniors, Veterans, Families and Community Services Emma Davidson today announced the successful applicants of the second round of the Community Connections Grants offered under the COVID-19 Stimulus Community Resilience and Crisis Response initiative.
Thirty-five local groups and individuals across Canberra will benefit from the grants to build a stronger sense of community through innovative projects that foster involvement, participation and connection through COVID-safe local cultural, spiritual, sporting and recreation-based activities.
The grants, totalling $98,200, will fund projects that boost connection and participation across Canberra. There are a diverse range of projects including:
- an arts and crafts program for blind or vision impaired persons from the Canberra Blind Society;
- free trapeze workshops for Canberrans over fifty years of age from an individual;
- Humpy Hall events including movie nights and music from the Scullin Community Group;
- live stream meetings from the Molonglo Valley Community Forum; and
- a sewing course to connect First Nations and non-Indigenous women in the ACT community.
Minister Davidson said these grants are continuing to provide critical support for community-building projects, strengthen connection and a greater sense of community as part of the ACT Government’s Recovery Roadmap.
“There are so many innovative programs and events that the ACT Government is proud to support through these grants. It shows that Canberra wants a more inclusive community and is thinking about ways we can make sure there is an opportunity for everyone,” Minister Davidson said.
“These grants are part of our commitment to support grassroots and local projects across Canberra to ensure that all members of our community feel included and have access to opportunities that interest them. I am particularly excited by the number of cultural groups organising activities which are available to the broader community.”
“I congratulate the recipients and look forward to seeing these wonderful projects come to fruition over the coming months.”
CEO of Bus Stop Films, Tracey Corbin-Matchett, said: "Bus Stop Films is extremely grateful for support of the ACT Government through the Community Connection Grants. This grant, together with the generous in-kind support we receive from Screen Canberra to deliver our Program, will help bring our community together to create an inclusively made film to be shot on location in the ACT. Our project connects the creative and disability community through the medium of film and we can't wait to see this project come to life."
Founder and member of DEiFY, Ono Chowdhury, said: “Through this funding, DEiFY can continue to create spaces that LGBTQIA+ Bla(c)k and People of Colour have struggled to access within Canberra. As a grassroots collective, we are creating events that are led by and celebrate the strength of LGBTQIA+ Bla(c)k and People of Colour despite the systemic and intersectional obstacles we face. We can bring comfort and healing to individuals in the community, spread awareness of the community's needs, and affirm the shared and differing struggles we all face."
The second round of the grants program was again highly sought following the strong demand demonstrated in the pilot late last year.
For a full list of grant recipients visit https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/home/grants/successful-recipients-community-connection-grants-program