Twenty‑eight women from Arabic, Afghan and Indian backgrounds have turned their creative skills into a source of income thanks to a mentoring program supported by City of Newcastle.
Applications will open on Monday for City of Newcastle's annual grants and sponsorship programs, which last year helped provide economic opportunities for a group of refugee and culturally diverse women through Shared World Collective's Make, Gather and Market initiative.
Shared World Collective founder Katrina Gulbrandsen with participants of the Make, Gather & Market initiative selling hand-made products at Olive Tree Markets. City of Newcastle's Executive Manager Media Economy Engagement and Corporate Affairs, Nick Kaiser said programs like this demonstrate how targeted funding can deliver practical, long-term benefits for the community.
"Our grants and sponsorships programs provide support across nine different streams to help organisations like Shared World Collective deliver initiatives that respond to local priorities, ease cost-of-living pressures for our community and contribute to a stronger Newcastle year-round," Mr Kaiser said.
"Applicants can apply for grants of up to $25,000 across categories supporting social inclusion, upgrades to sports and recreation facilities, arts and culture initiatives, environmental projects and a wide range of events."
Participants in the Make, Gather & Market program were given guidance and small business training to help them use their existing creative skills to create hand-made products they could sell at the Olive Tree Markets.
Shared World Collective Director Katrina Gulbrandsen said the program focused on building confidence, skills and pathways to economic participation.
"This grant gave us the resources to remove cost barriers and support participants all the way through from learning artisan skills to selling their work at local markets," Ms Gulbrandsen said.
"The program included visits to circular economy initiatives such as Full Circle Collective and The Makers Place to learn about sustainable sourcing and selling, as well as candle making, natural ink painting, sewing and hand embroidery workshops.
"Participants told us the experience was calming and empowering, and many gained confidence, business knowledge and pride in their skills while strengthening connections within the community."
City of Newcastle's grants and sponsorships program supports initiatives that deliver social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits for the local community, with funding available through Infrastructure Grants, Community Support Grants and Event Sponsorship.
Event Sponsorship supports conferences and events of all sizes, including general, incubator and major events hosted across the city. Last weekend, national skate competition King of Concrete led by world champion and Olympic judge Renton Millar was held at Bar Beach after receiving support through the 2025 general event sponsorship.
Major Events supported include the Beach 5s weekend festival at Nobbys Beach, the 20th anniversary Hill to Harbour in March and OzTheatrics Junior Theatre Festival.
Recent Infrastructure Grant recipients include Stockton Bowling Club, which received funding for a disability access ramp and Kotara South Netball Club, which was supported to upgrade court lighting.
Community Support Grants assist projects across environment, arts, culture and history, social inclusion and sustainability. Previously, City of Newcastle has supported the Salvation Army to deliver weekly community lunches for the homeless and disadvantaged, and the Share Shop in Hamilton to expand their range of electric appliances and tools.
Applications for City of Newcastle's 2026 Grants and Sponsorships programs open 4 May and close 31 May.
To learn more or apply, visit https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-sponsorships
