Minister announces grants to build stronger communities

23/11/00
Two new Lotteries Commission initiatives launched today will for the first time provide funds for social research projects and initiatives to directly strengthen families and communities in Western Australia.
In launching the initiatives, Family and Children's Services Minister June van de Klashorst said a total of $1 million would be shared equally between the Social Research Grants and the Connected Families; Connected Communities programs.
"Not-for-profit incorporated organisations, community groups and local government authorities in the metropolitan area and regions have been invited to apply for the grants," Mrs van de Klashorst said.
The Social Research Grants will go towards social research on issues that have an impact on the community, while the Connected Families: Connected Community grants will go towards initiatives that respond to areas of identified need in the community.
The Minister said the new initiatives recognised that traditional communities were facing new challenges and were changing rapidly.
"State-wide consultations by the Family and Children's Policy Office have found that people see stronger connections with their neighbourhood and community as important and that they want initiatives to help bring this about," she said.
"Through the initiatives launched today, the Lotteries Commission is looking at the bigger picture - at what makes a healthy functioning community."
Also speaking at the launch, Professor Fiona Stanley, Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, said there was an urgent need for quality research to identify the issues affecting communities and devise ways to reconnect and strengthen those communities.
Kerry Pearmain, Director of Community Funding for the Lotteries Commission, said the two funding initiatives would complement each other.
"Our hope is that some of the research projects funded under the Social Research Grants will develop projects to promote stronger communities that will continue on after the grant period," Mrs Pearmain said.
"These projects might in turn be supported by the Connected Families - Connected Communities initiative."
Previously, Lotteries Commission grants have been directed towards capital expenditure, infrastructure or equipment.
Application forms and guidelines on the Social Research Grants and 'Connected Families; Connected Communities' Grants are available from Lotteries Commission Community Funding on 9340 5270 or STD freecall 1800 655 270 and from the Lotteries Commission website: http://www.lottery.wa.gov.au
Media contacts:
Owen Cole 9481 7810
Andrew Walton, Manager, Lotteries Commission Public Affairs, 9340 5227