Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $50,000 to $150,000
- Application opened: 20 February 2025
- Application closed: 28 March 2025
Program objective
Since the inception of this grants program, the NSW Government has facilitated three rounds of grants, providing funding support to a range of local governments across the state.
The Premier’s Department (the Department) is now pleased to announce a fourth round of funding that bolsters local government response to hate in NSW. This round focuses on building local government capability and capacity to prevent and respond to the rising prevalence of hate.
The overarching purpose of this grants program is to build stronger, more resilient, and more cohesive communities.
It is our vision that, by supporting local government through the NSW Social Cohesion Grants for Local Government:
- connection and belonging within local communities will be strengthened
- connection and belonging between local communities will be strengthened
- connection and trust between local communities and institutions will be strengthened
- local government will have enhanced capability to design, implement and evaluate social cohesion initiatives
Applicants should review the grant guidelines prior to submitting their applications.
This program is administered by Premier's Department.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible:
- Applicants must be a NSW Local Government (operating under the Local Government Act 1993). (Applicants who applied for funding in previous rounds regardless of success are welcome to apply.)
- The application must not be for an existing project (although pilot programs may be considered).
- The application must seek funding for projects that build local government capability and capacity to prevent and respond to the rising prevalence of hate. Projects should aim to address the impacts of hate, polarisation and localised impacts from global crises and events in their local government area.
- The application must align with the NSW Social Cohesion Grants for Local Government Program Logic and link to one or more of the program outcomes (see section 1. 2 of the grant guideline).
- The application must clearly describe the social cohesion challenge in the community.
Who the grant is targeted towards
This grant is targeted towards all NSW communities.
Types of projects funded under this grant
All funded activities must contribute to the achievement of the program’s aims as set out in the program logic (see section 1.2 in the Grant Guidelines).
Initiatives must seek to build to build capability and sustainability of local governments to respond to hate.
The requested funds may contribute towards the cost of delivering a range of activities; including but not limited to:
- the purchase of equipment if it is integral to the activity.
- devolved funding programs for service organisations.
- staff-related costs if these costs are directly related to the proposed project.
Activities can be a one-off or time-limited activity, or series of events with specific goals and conditions. The project will have defined responsibilities for all contractors and external personnel, a budget, a project plan supported by a program logic, and a specific start date and end date.
When the project can start and end
Projects should aim to be completed within 12 months of project commencement.
The project should be started by 30 June 2025 and the project must be completed by 30 June 2026.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
Applicants should refer to the grant guideline section 1.2 to assist in referencing outcomes (defined by the red numbered outcomes).
The objective of the grants program is to fund local governments to develop initiatives that will help strengthen social cohesion in local communities. Initiatives must seek to build capability and sustainability of local governments to respond to hate.
Initiatives do not need to meet all outcomes listed on the program logic but must identify and address at least one of the following program outcomes:
- Connection and belonging within communities are strengthened (9)
- Connection and belonging between communities are strengthened (10)
- Connection and trust between communities and institutions are strengthened (11)
Who can’t apply
Applicants that do not operate under the Local Government Act 1993 are ineligible to apply.
What costs you can't apply for
Applicants should refer to the grant guideline for more information.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Funding is not available for:
- Projects and/or activities that are not related to social cohesion activities.
- Ongoing or recurrent funding for programs.
- Supplementing, increasing, or continuing ongoing service delivery that is the core business of the Local Government.
- Political party activities.
- Capital expenses, including but not limited to building works (including maintenance) and equipment purchase, unless explicitly related to the project.
- Celebration of national or independence days, with the exception of key Australian days including ANZAC Day, Australia Day, and NAIDOC week.
- Religious festivals, rituals, events or promotions, except multi-faith events which involve people from multiple religions and do not alienate or isolate one religion.
- Reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the commencement of the funding agreement.
- Covering existing debts or budget deficits of the Local Government.
- Purchase of alcohol, tobacco products, gaming services, entertainment streaming.
- Commercial or fundraising activities.
- Cash prizes or gifts, including gift vouchers.
Example projects
Examples of eligible projects can be sourced from resources from the Strong Cities Network or within the Building social cohesion: a resource for Local Government.
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
All eligible applications will be assessed against the following assessment criteria (assessment weightings have also been provided):
- Application clearly outlines and address a social cohesion challenge related to the rising prevalence of hate, demonstrates public benefit to the community and how the project will demonstrate an impact. (20%)
- Applicants respond to at least one anticipated outcome of; connectedness within communities (9), connectedness between communities (10), or connectedness between communities and institutions (11) from the program logic. (20%)
- Application includes a project plan that outlines activities and tasks, milestones and associated risks with implementing the proposed initiative. (20%)
- Application demonstrates value for money with reference to the budget, applicants can also consider social, environmental and cultural factors. (20%)
- Application demonstrates commitment to program evaluation, including the provision of a program logic. (10%)
- Application considers how to deliver a sustainable impact from the project, noting that funding is a one-off grant and will not be extended. (10%)
Start the application
Applications opened on 20 February 2025
Submissions will close at 11.59pm (AEDT) on 28 March 2025. The closing date and time is a strict deadline. No extensions to the deadline will be permitted.
The Department uses an online grant management platform for all grant submissions, accessible through a portal on the Grants page on the nsw.gov.au website.
Through the portal, applicants are required to log in to access the online application form. If the applicant council has previously used the portal to apply for a grant, then they will already be registered and can use existing usernames and log in details, and do not need to set up a new registration/account.
All required attachments must be uploaded through the online application form. All required fields marked with an Asterix (*) are mandatory and must be completed. If you do not complete the mandatory fields, you will not be able to submit your application. Please do not upload documents that have not been requested. Letters of support are NOT required.
The Department will not accept applications unless they are submitted online through the portal. Incomplete and/or non-compliant applications will not be progressed for assessment after the grant round has closed.
All grant queries must be submitted in writing, via email to connectedcommunities@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au
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: The NSW Premier's Department
A five-person assessment panel convened by the Department will include at least one member from the Department and up to four staff from other NSW Government agencies.
These members (clerk grade 7/8 and above) will have expertise on social cohesion initiatives, preventing and responding to hate and/or Local Governments.
Panel members will be screened for actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflicts of interest before participating in the assessment of applications. Any identified conflicts will be reported to the Director, Connected Communities, Premier’s Department for appropriate risk management in accordance with the Department’s systems for risk management and conflict of interest management. In event of the Director, Connected Communities, Premier’s Department identified conflict of interest, this matter will be escalated to the Executive Director, Social & Community, Delivery & Engagement Group.
All applications for grants are reviewed to ensure compliance with eligibility criteria and required documentation. Eligible applications are then progressed to the assessment phase.
The panel will make recommendations for grant funding to the decision-maker (Deputy Secretary, Delivery & Engagement Group, Premier’s Department) who will approve successful applications. Not all grant applications will be successful.
The Department may seek confirmation or clarification regarding a project’s activities and funds sought as part of this program during the assessment phase.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is 30/05/2025
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 30/06/2025
Support and contact
Connectedcommunities@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au