The ACT Government has awarded a total of $80,000 to nine female-led projects through the 2024–25 Women's Participation Grant Program, supporting initiatives that empower women and girls across Canberra.
The funded projects align with the ACT Women's Plan 2016-26 and its Third Action Plan 2023, helping women from diverse backgrounds gain new skills, boost confidence, and build stronger community connections.
The successful grant recipients and projects are:
- Forcibly Displaced Peoples Network – developing an online training module and awareness campaign to support LGBTIQA+ refugee and migrant women with self-advocacy tools.
- Australian Chinese Culture Exchange and Promotion Association – organising a multicultural dance event that brings diverse women's groups together to share language, culture, and costume.
- Celebration of African Australians Inc – hosting a wellbeing and drumming workshop in a culturally safe space for African women who have experienced trauma.
- Pack and Chat Canberra – holding a community event where women and girls assemble care boxes for those at risk of homelessness and hunger.
- Stepping Stone Social Enterprise – delivering Tech Savvy Women, a digital literacy and cyber safety training program for migrant and refugee women working in social enterprises.
- University of Canberra – running a 16-week online training program to build financial literacy and micro-investment skills among multicultural women.
- ZamZam Foundation – providing driving lessons for Afghan women, supporting greater independence, mobility, and community participation.
- ANU Law Students' Society – delivering oral advocacy seminars for female and gender-diverse law students and providing funding for participation in national legal competitions.
- ANU Women's Football Club – supporting the club's participation in the National Premier League Women's (NPLW), helping open elite pathways in women's football.
"These projects are important steps toward gender equality," said Minister for Women, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA. "They support women facing compounding challenges - whether through poverty, violence, trauma, or systemic barriers - with practical, community-based solutions."
Minister Paterson also highlighted the alignment with the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. "These grants reflect the ACT Government's commitment to inclusive prevention and early intervention - supporting vulnerable women where they live, work, and connect."
The Women's Participation Grant recipients are listed on the ACT Government's website.
Quote attributable to Women's Participation Grant Recipient, Dr Renee Dixson of the Forcibly Displaced Peoples Network:
"We're incredibly proud to launch this project, which fills a long-standing gap in tailored support for LGBTIQA+ refugee and migrant women navigating the workforce.
"Too often, they face racism, homophobia, and transphobia without the tools or knowledge to advocate for themselves. This grant allows us to address that critical gap by developing a first-of-its-kind, interactive e-learning tool on workplace rights - co-designed with and for LGBTIQA+ refugee and migrant women in the ACT.
"As Australia's only LGBTIQA+ refugee-led organisation, we ensure our community is always at the centre of change. This project is an innovative step toward dismantling workplace discrimination and building a more inclusive ACT."
Quotes attributable to Women's Participation Grant Recipient Ting Lu of Australian Chinese Cultural Exchange and Promotion:
"We plan to organise a music/dance performing event to engage diverse women's groups, so that culturally and linguistically diverse women can get together to share their cultural, music, costumes, and language.
"We believe such an event can enhance the social connection for women's groups, and the event will also provide the opportunity to improve women's leadership capacity, physical health and mental well-being."
Quotes attributable to Women's Participation Grant Recipient Charles Coker of Celebration of African Australians
"We are incredibly grateful to receive support from the ACT Women's Participation Grant, which allows us to launch the Women's Health and Wellbeing Drumming Workshop - a project designed to empower women through rhythm, creativity, and connection.
"This initiative is about more than music; it's about creating a safe, supportive space where women of all backgrounds can come together, express themselves, and improve their mental and emotional wellbeing through the power of drumming.
"This workshop will celebrate cultural diversity and promote social inclusion, helping women build confidence, reduce isolation, and form meaningful connections in their community.
"By focusing on health and wellbeing through an engaging and culturally rich activity, we aim to amplify women's voices and promote participation in community life across Canberra."
Quotes attributable to Women's Participation Grant Recipient Mijica Lus, Pack and Chat project
"This grant will allow me to bring together young women and gender-diverse youth from regional and culturally diverse backgrounds through Pack and Chat - a grassroots event focused on pathways from college to university.
"Many of these young people are navigating systemic barriers, and this project will not only create a safe space for connection and belonging but also empower them to see themselves in higher education and leadership spaces.
"I'm deeply grateful for the ACT Government's support through the Women's Participation Grant."
