20 April 2015
Applications now open - NSWALC Community Development Fund Grants
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) is pleased to announce that funding applications are being sought for the inaugural NSWALC Community Fund grant funding round.
The NSWALC Community Fund
The NSWALC Community Fund is part of the Community Development Levy mechanism introduced into the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (ALRA) in 2009; to evenly spread the wealth from land councils with more valuable land holdings to those councils with less valuable land and development opportunities. It accumulates money levied from certain Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) land dealings which is matched by NSWALC contributions. The accumulated funds are to be made available on the basis of need so as to increase resources and assets available for less advantaged Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
In November 2014, NSWALC wrote to all LALCs seeking input on the draft NSWALC Community Fund Policy.
In accordance with the ALRA, the Council of NSWALC considered all comments made by LALCs before it adopted the NSWALC Community Fund Policy (The Policy). The Policy was approved and gazetted by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on 5 March 2015 and can now be implemented.
The Policy outlines how NSWALC will make funding available from the NSWALC Community Fund; including which LALCs will be eligible, for what purpose grants can be sought and on what basis applications will be assessed.
Eligibility
The Policy stipulates that only less advantaged LALCs are eligible for grants from the NSWALC Community Fund; defining less advantaged LALCs as being those LALCs with land assets (less the value of any former reserves and missions, and any jointly managed National Parks be owned by the LALC) that are worth less than the network average.
In November 2014, NSWALC advised each LALC of their potential eligibility for grants under the Policy and provided an opportunity for LALCs to raise any concerns about this eligibility status.
2015 Funding Round
The funding round for 2015 is now open and applications will be accepted up until 5pm 3 July 2015.
All LALCs will be advised of their eligibility status.
Eligible LALCs may apply for grants of up to $50,000 for the following purposes:
- Grants to assist with the acquisition of land, where all other avenues for funding have been exhausted; and
- Grants to undertake land management activities, except for the purchase of vehicles and for activities associated with housing management and housing related infrastructure, including on former reserves and missions.
How to apply
Information about how to apply, what activities may be funded, and how applications will be assessed is outlined in the 2015 Program and Application Guidelines. Eligible LALCs are encouraged to review this document prior to submitting an application.
Electronic versions of the application form (PDF) and application form (DOC) are also available. Please note that electronic applications are preferred.
Application forms and supporting documents should be submitted by 3 July 2015, and can be submitted via the following:
POST: Policy and Programs Unit
NSWALC
PO Box 1125
Parramatta NSW 2124
EMAIL: policy@alc.org.au
If you have any questions or wish to discuss your application please contact the Policy and Programs Unit on 02 9689 4444 or email policy@alc.org.au