- 2 Cairns organisations are among 47 recipients state-wide sharing more than $1 million in Social Enterprise Growth Grants that help disadvantaged and vulnerable Queenslanders.
- Grants of up to $25,000 have been awarded to a range of projects– including projects which provide greater access to develop First Nations-led agritourism activities, and support paid employment for people with intellectual disabilities.
- This is the largest funding round of any of the Social Enterprise Grants programs – which also includes Community Social Enterprise Development Grants, Sector Development Grants and Social Enterprise Development Grants.
More than $1 million in funding for 47 recipients has been announced in the final round of Social Enterprise Growth Grants (SEGG) for 2022-23.
Examples of how the Social Enterprise Growth Grants will be used across the State include:
- Gunggandji Aerospace's Sharing the story of Non-Traditional Pathways project, which will use its grant funding to engage with local Indigenous communities, to promote employment and training opportunities in the aerospace industry.
- Cape York Institute's Website Improvement project will use grant funding to improve its Mayi Market online store, making it easier for remote Cape York communities to access deliveries of fresh food.
- The Baking Bunch's Production and Productivity Improvement project, will use funding to purchase kitchen equipment and enhance the sales and growth of its commercial baking business, which provides paid work and training for people with intellectual disabilities.
The grants are part of the broader, $8 million Social Enterprise Jobs Fund.
Quotes attributable to the Member for Cairns Michael Healy:
"I'm delighted to see Cape York Institute receive a grant.
"It operates Mayi Market, a not-for-profit Indigenous enterprise delivering fresh food to remote Cape York communities at fair prices.
"This increases food security in remote areas, supports local jobs, provides food retail competition, and enables people to set aside a fortnightly budget for healthy food.
"FNQ Food Incubator Pty Ltd services is another grant recipient.
"They partner with the food manufacturing hub to provide shared amenities that allow for low-cost, low-risk food manufacturing, packaging and warehousing.
"The Social Enterprise Grants are just another example of the Palaszczuk Government doing all it can to help our communities with meaningful programs and support."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer:
"These projects deliver real social impact in our communities.
"Across countless Queensland communities, social enterprises play a vital role – supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable Queenslanders, while delivering training, skills and services for the greater good.
"Earlier this year, I announced $900,000 in Social Enterprise Growth Grants funding for 42 organisations, to grow and improve their social impact. This round sees even more organisations receive grants of up to $25,000 – directly and indirectly benefiting communities from Palm Island and Cairns, out to Murgon and down to Redland Bay.
""Through the broader Social Enterprise Job Fund, I'm delighted we can support projects which are making a positive difference to lives, livelihoods, and our natural landscape."
For the full list of grant recipients in Round 2 of the Social Enterprise Growth Grants program, please visit: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/future-skills-fund/social-enterprise-grants
