Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: $700,000
- Application opened: 9 October 2026
- Application closes: 30 October 2026, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The objectives of this program are to fund initiatives that will help strengthen social cohesion and connections within communities or between communities following the Bondi Terror Attack. Initiatives must align with Community Cohesion and Wellbeing Outcomes and support the community in feeling safe, connected, well and heard.
Initiatives do not need to meet all objectives but must address at least one of the following outcomes from the Grant Guidelines:
Safe
- People feel safe to return to public spaces, places of worship and return to everyday activities
- Community members are confident to be their authentic selves in public life free from discrimination or fear
- Antisemitism and other forms of hate and discrimination are actively managed and minimised
Connected
- Communities are provided with opportunities to connect via community-led events, programs and initiatives
- People build or regain a strong sense of belonging and sense of connection within and across communities
- Community is supported through enhanced partnership between different segments of the local community
Well
- Local healing, wellbeing and long-term psychosocial recovery at the community level is supported (psychosocial recovery promotes positive wellbeing, resilience, social connection and social cohesion activities within the community)
- Affected communities are strengthened and develop ongoing resilience through capacity building
- People who are disconnected from support are identified and supported to connect through activities
Heard
- People feel informed and able to navigate recovery decisions
- People have opportunities to voice views within community and institutions to improve agency
- Cohesion and wellbeing initiatives are community-led and trauma informed
- People and communities build trust in key institutions
This program is administered by Premier's Department.
Eligibility
Who can apply
This grant round is only open to the following local councils:
- Randwick City Council
- Waverley Council
- Woollahra Municipal Council
An application is eligible if the following are met:
- The grant funding amount sought is up to $700,000 (excl. GST).
- Funding is sought for eligible project costs.
- Applicants must demonstrate their project will align with at least one of the program objectives in Section 1.1 and meet the assessment criteria detailed below.
- Applicants have adequate public liability insurance cover of $20 million.
- Where needed, applicants or relevant staff will have Working with Children Checks.
- Funded activities must commence after the grant funding commencement date.
- Funded activities must be completed by 30 June 2028.
- The application is approved by the General Manager or equivalent senior council delegate.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Not applicable
What costs you can apply for
The consortium of councils will collectively co-design a program of work that aligns with the program’s objectives and Outcomes Framework. Funding will support the delivery of activities or initiatives that will help strengthen social cohesion and connections within communities, between communities or between communities and institutions.
The funding allows for spending up to a maximum of $150,000 for one FTE role per annum for ordinary salary and oncosts of a Project Coordinator (see Appendix for table of oncosts). Funding may also support additional staffing costs, for example, support roles as required. Capital expenditure including laptop and mobile phone are eligible costs.
It should be noted that the intent of this funding is to support an additional resource or resources to manage and coordinate the program, not to support an existing role within Council. This role can be undertaken via a job-share arrangement in agreement with all three Councils. As this role may involve exposure to vicarious trauma, external clinical supervision will be an eligible expenditure under program funding.
What costs you can't apply for
Funding is not available for:
- Initiatives that do not align with program objectives, and intended outcomes of the Community Cohesion and Wellbeing Funding Programs Outcomes Framework
- Supplementing, increasing, or continuing ongoing service delivery that is the core business of the three Councils
- Capital expenses, including but not limited to building works (including maintenance) and equipment purchase, unless explicitly related to the project
- Reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the commencement of the funding agreement
- Covering existing debts or budget deficits of the three Councils
- Purchase of alcohol, tobacco products, gaming services, entertainment streaming
- Commercial or fundraising activities
- Cash prizes or gifts, including gift vouchers (this does not include disbursements for public participation)
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Not applicable
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
The following assessment criteria will be considered in the process of assessing the application:
- Ability to demonstrate a clear community benefit and contribute to one or more of the outcomes in the Outcomes Framework above in Section 1.1. (Pass/fail)
- Organisational capacity to plan, manage and deliver a meaningful scope of activities, demonstrated through a clear project plan, realistic timelines, appropriate resourcing, and effective risk management. (Pass/fail)
- Draft project budget, including quotes where relevant. (Pass/fail).
Start the application
Applicant Councils will need to submit a short application via the online program SmartyGrants, accessible through a portal on the NSW Government Grants and Funding website (https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding).
All required attachments must be uploaded through the online application form in SmartyGrants.
All required fields marked with an * within the online application form must be completed.
The Premier’s Department will not accept applications unless they are submitted online through the SmartyGrants portal. Incomplete and/or non-compliant applications will not be eligible for assessment.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Deputy Secretary Delivery and Engagement, NSW Premier’s Department
All applications will be assessed by a panel convened by the NSW Premier’s Department. The panel will include Multicultural NSW, Reconstruction Authority and representatives from other NSW Government agencies with subject matter expertise in supporting community recovery and social cohesion.
Panel members will need to declare actual and/or potential conflict of interests before participating in the assessment of applications. These declarations will be made to the Director, Connected Communities, NSW Premier’s Department. Any identified conflicts will result in a panel member being excluded from the assessment process for that application.
Applications will first be reviewed to ensure compliance with the eligibility criteria and that all required documentation has been submitted through the online application system.
Two assessment panel members will then independently assess the application against the assessment criteria and determine whether it meets the requirements for funding. Applications will receive a pass or fail outcome.
The Chair of the assessment panel will review the assessment outcome, and the assessment panel will then meet to discuss the application and make a funding recommendation.
Following its review, the assessment panel will provide a written assessment report to the NSW the Decision Maker recommending whether the application should be approved for funding.
The Decision Maker will decide on consideration of recommendations of the panel. The Decision Maker’s decision is final in all matters, including:
- the grant approval
- the grant funding to be awarded
- any conditions attached to the offer of grant funding.
Support and contact
Community Reslience and Response, Premier's Department
connectedcommunities@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au