Stronger Country Communities Fund

Round Four applications are now open

Applications for the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Four opened on 1 May 2021.

The $100 million Round Four includes up to $50 million for projects that enhance female participation in sport, including change rooms. The remaining $50 million will be made available for high-quality community amenity and sports-related infrastructure projects.

The Stronger Country Communities Fund will continue to deliver grassroots projects that will reinvigorate our rural communities in every single Local Government Area in regional NSW.

Eligible applicants can complete and submit applications using the online portal. Applications will close at 12pm (AEDT) on Friday, 25 June 2021.

Program information and resources

Detailed information about eligibility and how to apply can be found in the Program Guidelines below:

• Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Four Program Guidelines

The following resources and tools are available to support potential applicants with their submissions:

• Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Four Frequently Asked Questions
• SCCF Project Plan template (XLSX, 23.83 KB)
• SCCF Project Budget template (XLSX, 30.09 KB)
• SCCF Landowner Consent Form (DOCX, 58.65 KB)

To assist eligible applicants applying for funding in Round Four, the Department of Regional NSW will host a free online webinar at 1pm on Thursday, 13 May. The webinar will provide a high-level overview of the program and guidance on the eligibility requirements and the application process. Click here to register.

Getting support

The Department of Regional NSW has a network of Business Development Managers located across regional NSW who are available to answer questions and provide advice about completing and lodging applications and supporting documents for Round Four.

To access this support please email sccf.enquiries@regional.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 679 673. Please review the online resources provided above and the Frequently Asked Questions before getting in touch.

Previous rounds

The NSW Government has already invested $400 million into Stronger Country Communities Fund projects which boost the liveability of regional areas and enhance opportunities for young people to thrive and be work ready in regional NSW.

In Round 1, $100 million was invested to improve community facilities such as town halls, recreation areas, shared paths and playgrounds. Through Round 2, a further $200 million was invested to provide community and sports-related infrastructure.

In 2019, Round 3 provided $100 million for community projects with at least $50 million targeted to youth related projects including indoor sports programs, creative arts and culture projects, mentoring and skills training services.

Contact Us

• General enquiries: Email the Stronger Country Communities Fund team at sccf.enquiries@regional.nsw.gov.au

• Phone enquiries: 1300 679 673

• Grant management queries: If your enquiry refers to an approved project with an existing funding deed, email the Grants Management Office at gmo@regional.nsw.gov.au. Please quote your Application ID in the email subject line
• Branding and signage approvals: For approval to use logos, signs and branding for projects with allocated funding, contact branding@regional.nsw.gov.au. Please review the NSW Government Funding Acknowledgement Guidelines before getting in touch.