The aim of Women’s Week Grants is to support events which empower women, uplift focus communities and challenge gendered norms, roles and expectations during Women’s Week in March.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $10,000 to $50,000
- Application opened: 5 August 2025
- Application closed: 19 August 2025, 3:00 pm
Program objective
Women’s Week Grants fund innovative events that increase the empowerment and participation of women and girls in our communities, which advances gender equality in the long term. Funding provides Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations, rural, regional and remote-based organisations and not-for-profits with an opportunity to give back to their communities by delivering events or activities that benefit local women and girls.
NSW Women’s Week events must align with at least one of the 3 pillars of the NSW Women's Strategy (2023-2026), these pillars are:
- Pillar 1 - economic opportunity and advancement
- Pillar 2 - health and wellbeing
- Pillar 3 - participation and empowerment
This program is funded and administered by Women NSW.
For Further details, including the Grant Guidelines:
Expressions of Interest
Open: 5 August 2025, 10:00am
Close: 19 August 2025, 3:00 pm
This program is funded and administered by Women NSW.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a legally constituted Australian-based entity from one of these two categories:
- Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO).
- Incorporated, not-for-profit organisations, including community organisations.
- If successful, applicants must obtain appropriate public liability insurance (minimum of $10 million).
- Applications must provide a budget outlining proposed funding of eligible expenditure items, including a minimum of 10 per cent funding from other sources (monetary or in-kind).
- An application must be made by a single organisation that will accept responsibility for the delivery of the project if the application is successful.
- Applicant must be based within NSW, unless they can demonstrate that the project will be run in and for the benefit of women and/or girls in NSW and that the organisation meets all regulatory, business requirements.
- Projects must be held during Women’s Week in March 2026.
Who is the grant targeted towards
Projects must target and support one of the following focus communities:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls
- carers
- girls and young women living in, or who have lived in, out-of-home care
- lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer and/or asexual (LGBTIQA+) women and girls
- older women
- women and girls experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage
- women and girls facing homelessness
- women and girls from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
- women and girls in contact with the criminal justice system
- women and girls living in regional, rural, remote and cross-border areas
- women and girls with disability
- women and girls with a mental illness
- women and girls who have a history of, or are currently experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence
- women veterans (and the women partners of veterans and service members)
- young women
Applications that focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, women with disability and LGBTIQA+ women are strongly encouraged including those that will be held in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW.
2MFM - Muslim Community Radio
ACON
Accessible Arts
Carrathool Shire Council
Greater Hume Council
Hay Trees On Plains Landcare Group Inc.
Lake Macquarie City Council
Master Builders Association of New South Wales
Melkite Charitable Foundation
Murrumbidgee Council
NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc
Narrabri & District Community Aid Service Inc
People with Disability Australia
Settlement Services International
University of Newcastle Students' Association
WestWords
For event details see NSW Women's Week events
LIVEFree PROJECT
Manly Business Chamber
Melkite Charitable Foundation
Murrumbidgee Council
Muslim Community Radio
NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors
One Giant Leap Australia Foundation
Parkes Shire Council
Picnic Point Public School Parents and Citizens Association
Resilience Together Association Incorporated
Rotary Club of Bellingen Inc
Scone Chamber of Commerce
Springwood Neighbourhood Centre Cooperative Ltd
Supported Accommodation & Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI)
Tablelands Farming Systems
Tamworth Family Support Service Ltd
Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club
The Reconnect Project Limited
Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre
Watershed Landcare Group Incorporated
WestWords
Wingecarribee Shire Council
Wollondilly Women in Business
Young Crisis Accommodation Centre
Zonta Club of North Sydney Inc
out(fit) auspiced by Newcastle University
For event details see NSW Women's Week events
Bega Valley Shire Council
Bomaderry Australian Football Club Incorporated (BFC)
Business Mudgee
C3 Victory Centre
Camden Council
CCA New South Wales Ltd
Children's Medical Research Institute
Coffs Harbour Older Women's Network
Cooma Pastoral and Agricultural Association - Cooma Show
Country Women's Association of NSW - Woy Woy branch
Cowra Information And Neighbourhood Centre Inc
Destructive Steps Dance Association
Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre Inc
Fairfield City Council
First Steps Count Inc
Forbes Business Chamber Inc
Hunter Community Legal Centre Inc
Kiama Municipal Council - Destination Kiama
Milparinka Heritage And Tourism Association Inc
Multicultural Council Of Wagga Wagga
Northern Rivers Women And Children's Services Inc
Orange Aboriginal Corporation Health Service
Ride Dungog
The Flagstaff Group Limited
For event details see NSW Women's Week events
Bega Valley Shire Library
Boambee East Community Centre
Jaanymili Bawrrungga Incorporated
Broken Hill City Council
Byron Youth Service
WILMA Women's Health Centre
Firstchance Inc.
Murrumbidgee Council
Coonamble Shire Council
Ride Dungog
Country Women's Association of NSW - Tamworth Evening Branch
Greater Hume Council
Home Grown Business
Central North Coast Agricultural Society Ltd
University of New South Wales
Leeton Shire Council
Early Links Inclusion Support Service
Narrabri Shire Council
The Social Outfit Incorporated
Islamic Women's Welfare Association
Tarcutta Valley Landcare Group
Ausrelief Limited
SEVENmile Ltd
Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre
Atholwood Country Women's Association
Wagga Aboriginal Women’s Group Incorporated
Illawarra Women's Health Centre
For event details see NSW Women's Week events
Tranby National Indigenous Adult Education & Training
Central West Women's Health Centre
Gunnedah Shire Council
Tamworth Family Support Service- New England Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service
CareWays Community
Sisters' Cancer Support Group Inc.
Riverina Community College
Young Change Agents Limited
Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre Inc.
YWCA Australia
Ethnic Community Services Cooperative
headspace Miranda
Braidwood & Villages Business Chamber
Country Women's Association of NSW - Tilba Branch
Snowy Monaro Regional Council
NSW Farmers' Association
Women's Housing Company
Central West Farming Systems Inc.
Coonamble Chamber of Commerce Inc
Forbes Shire Council
Lower Lachlan Community Services
Community Migrant Resource Centre
Cumberland Council
For event details see NSW Women's Week events
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for Accessible Arts
Building on the success of the inaugural Wellbeing Through Art Women's Week event in 2024, we'll present another high quality, accessible and engaging hybrid event to create a safe place for women with disability, exploring the myriad benefits of 'Wellbeing Through Art' through discussing health, wellbeing and diverse creative practice.
$50,000 was approved by
Minister for WomenDate approved
December 2024Location of the recipient
Council of the City of SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
15
Applications received
215
NSW Women’s Week Grants
Agency funding this grant
Women NSWProgram term
One weekWhat was approved
Approved for African Sub-Sahara International Development Agency LTD.
African Women Celebration Week will be held in Liverpool. It will bring together women from local African communities to showcase African cultures, languages, music, dance, and food amongst the wider Australian community. Each community will contribute their cultural assets. It will facilitate cultural exchange and mutual learning.
$40,000 was approved by
Minister for WomenDate approved
December 2024Location of the recipient
Liverpool City CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
15
Applications received
215
NSW Women’s Week Grants
Agency funding this grant
Women NSWProgram term
One weekWhat was approved
Approved for Diversity Arts Australia
A hybrid symposium highlighting the achievements and challenges of CaLD, migrant, and refugee women in NSW's creative sectors, featuring performances, discussions, and networking opportunities. Offers bursaries for regional participation and quality live-streaming to further engage regional participants.
$43,000 was approved by
Minister for WomenDate approved
December 2024Location of the recipient
City of Parramatta CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
15
Applications received
215
NSW Women’s Week Grants
Agency funding this grant
Women NSWProgram term
One weekWhat was approved
Approved for Interrelate Ltd
Focusing on young Aboriginal women in Coonamble, Cobar and Bourke, two education focused events in each town will help remove the stigma, shame and bullying often associated with menstruation. Empowering through knowledge to teachers, community leaders and young women, together we will positively impact the health of these young women.
$15,000 was approved by
Minister for WomenDate approved
December 2024Location of the recipient
Coonamble Shire CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
15
Applications received
215
NSW Women’s Week Grants
Agency funding this grant
Women NSWProgram term
One weekWhat was approved
Approved for Lane Cove Municipal Council
The "Resilience and Radiance" art exhibition is a transformative initiative celebrating women artists who identify as LGBTQIA+. This exhibition will serve as the centrepiece of a week-long series of events aimed at honoring the contributions of women and fostering dialogue within the local community.
$17,853 was approved by
Minister for WomenDate approved
December 2024Location of the recipient
Lane Cove Municipal CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
15
Applications received
215
NSW Women’s Week Grants
Agency funding this grant
Women NSWProgram term
One weekWhat your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Eligible organisations can submit one (and only one) Expression of Interest (EOI) through SmartyGrants from 5 August to 19 August 2025. You will receive an automated email via SmartyGrants when Women NSW receives your EOI.
If an organisation submits multiple EOIs, only the first submitted EOI will be assessed and all others will be deemed ineligible.
Your EOI will require you to provide an event overview and must include the following information:
- A description of the event, how it will be delivered and how it will be of benefit to participants;
- Details about your organisation and your experience delivering events;
- The focus community you are targeting with your event and your connection to them;
- The location you plan to deliver the event in;
- An overview of the funding you are seeking.
A submitted EOI in written form, can be reopened upon request until 15:00 AEDT 2 September 2024. To reopen an EOI, email wnswgrants@tco.nsw.gov.au.
We recommend applicants submit forms in SmartyGrants at least two hours prior to the deadline to ensure any required documents upload properly. Applicants have been caught out in the past being unable to submit their form in time due to slow upload times. Late applications will not be accepted.
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
Criterion 1: Organisational capacity
The organisation is well-placed to run an event
- The applicant demonstrates well-established connections with the focus community (for example by listing when and how often the organisation has delivered services or projects to the community previously).
- The organisation has the appropriate skills and expertise to deliver the event (for example by citing prior experience delivering similar events).
Criterion 2: Effective service delivery
The way the event will be run is appropriate
- The event is designed with and for participants from one of the focus communities (applications list particular considerations for the target focus community. Applications that can demonstrate the need to deliver events for their focus community will score higher).
- To ensure an even spread of events across NSW, applications from regional, rural and remote locations will be prioritised.
- The event is participatory and fosters connections amongst participants.
- The event considers accessibility and safety requirements (by listing the accessibility and safety considerations that will be undertaken).
- The event includes effective promotion and marketing (by explaining what promotional activities are planned).
Criterion 3: Relevance
The event aligns with Women’s Week objectives and the NSW Women’s Strategy
- The event aligns with the objectives of the Women’s Week Grants Program (events which empower women, uplift focus communities and challenge gendered norms, roles and expectations will score more highly);
- The event demonstrates alignment with one of the three pillars of the NSW Women’s Strategy.
Criterion 4: Value for money
The event budget is cost effective
- Costs are clearly outlined in the budget including:
- expenditure items are detailed and clearly link to activities and outcomes
- funding sought from Women NSW
- in-kind contributions
- Benefits to participants are clear and the cost per participant justifies the funding sought.
Criterion 5: Outcomes
Participants are recognised, empowered and gender equality promoted
Successful applicants could demonstrate that the event participants reported:
- They feel their diversity has been recognised as a result of the event (for example the presenters are from their community or the activities were designed for their particular needs).
- They were able to participate freely and safely (considerations and adjustments had been made to allow all participants to engage).
- They have access to increased opportunities and choices as a result of the event (for example they have learnt of additional services, they have had an opportunity to try a new sport/hobby, they have seen someone from their community in a role they would not have normally considered).
Start the application
To streamline the application process, this year Women NSW will use a two-stage process for Women's Week Grants.
The first stage involves completing a short Expression of Interest (EOI) form through SmartyGrants. Applicants will not be able to apply for a grant without submitting an EOI.
Women NSW will select a shortlist of organisations based on the EOI Assessment criteria and invite shortlisted organisations to complete a full grant application form in the second stagr of the process.
Full grant applications will go through a comprehensive assessment process to determine the successful events.
Please refer to the Women's Week Guidelines (Word version or pdf version) and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist with completing the EOI and Full Grant application.
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.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by Minister for Women or her delegate.
Expressions of Interest will be shortlisted against the following questions:
- The organisation’s connection to one or more of the focus communities (organisations showing long-standing and deep connections and evidence to support the need for events for their focus communities will score more highly);
- The organisation’s capacity to run an event for one or more of the focus communities (organisations which can demonstrate previous experience running inclusive events for their chosen community will score more highly);
- Location of the event (events in rural, regional and remote locations of NSW will be prioritised);
- The nature of the event (events which are free or low-fee, original, participatory, educational, fun and which foster creativity and connections between participants will score more highly. Also, events where the work of female artists is paid fairly and which showcases women performers, artists, athletes or leaders, particularly women from target focus communities.);
- The likely value for money of the event (based on the number of anticipated participants for the funding requested and the likely benefits from attending for those participants).
- Alignment with the objectives of the Women’s Week Grants Program (events which are apolitical, empower women, uplift focus communities and challenge gendered norms, roles and expectations will score more highly);
Due to the competitive nature of the Women’s Week funding program, not all EOIs that meet the assessment criteria will be shortlisted.
Support and contact
If you have any questions about this grant please contact WNSWGrants@tco.nsw.gov.au
For queries about the online grant management system, Smarty Grants, please contact the support team at:
- Email: service@smartygrants.com.au
- Phone: (03) 9320 6888
Available to help Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (Australian Eastern Standard time)
