Community organisations, groups and individuals who have a project, event or great idea for the local community are being invited to apply for funding under Wagga Wagga City Council's Annual Grants Program.
Applications for the 2021/22 program open on Monday 15 March; $202,000 is available across 10 categories.
The categories are: Community Programs and Projects, Recreational Facilities, Neighbourhood and Rural Villages, Rural Halls, Arts, Culture and Creative Industries, Local Heritage, Events, Natural Environment, Youth Led Initiatives and Small Business.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said the Annual Grants Program allows Council to support a diverse range of projects that directly benefit the community
"Last year, Council supported 76 community and small business projects through its 2020/21 program," Cr Conkey said.
"The projects and events which resulted from the funding we allocated played an important role in helping the community as it began to emerge from the COVID-19 shutdown.
"While the local economy is on the road to recovery, there is still some way to go and we anticipate the strong demand for these grants will continue this year."
The Annual Grants Program is part of Council's commitment to developing a vibrant and diverse community in line with the goals of the Wagga View, Community Strategic Plan 2040.
Among the successful applicants in last year's annual grant program were:
- the Mangain Hall Committee - $10,000 in the Rural Hall category to install air-conditioning;
- Headspace Wagga Wagga - $1,400 in the Youth Led Initiatives category for two events to expand its Adulting in 2020: The Hindsight project;
- the Wagga Wagga Tibetan Community - $3,250 under the Community Programs and Projects to hold two small-scale COVID-19 safe traditional cultural celebrations.
Director Community Janice Summerhayes said celebrations like those held by the Tibetan Community foster community harmony and social inclusion.
"They provide opportunities for Australians of all-ages and walks-of-life to come together and experience different cultural heritages and traditions," Ms Summerhayes said.
"Projects like the one for air-conditioning at the Mangain Hall can also make a big difference by supporting additional use of the hall and assisting with the local community staying connected with each other."
Applications open on Monday 15 March at 9am for 7 weeks and close on Monday 3 May at 10am.
Council will also hold a grant consultation session to assist community members thinking of applying on Friday 26 March between 11am pm to 1pm in the Council Meeting Room at the Civic Centre.
