The state government’s Emerging Stronger volunteer grants program is now open to all volunteers, including those in Melbourne’s north, to ensure volunteers critical to the delivery of essential and community services can power forward.
On Thursday, June 9, Disability, Ageing and Carers Minister Anthony Carbines announced the $1 million program ready to receive applications.
“Volunteers are vital to a vast array of essential services and community activities,” Mr Carbines said.
“They are also healthier and happier through social connection, and the sense of purpose and achievement volunteering provides.
“The grants program will boost volunteering to help drive Victoria’s social recovery from COVID-19,” he said.
In a statement, the government said the program was a key part of the Victorian Volunteering Strategy launched in may, encouraging the community to bolster the volunteer workforce, after the “significant decline in volunteering” when the pandemic hit in 2020.
“The Victorian Volunteering Strategy is the government’s five-year action plan to promote, build, support and celebrate all forms of volunteering,” the government said.
Applications for grants of up to $80,000 are open for projects to get volunteers back into roles, expand volunteer bases and strengthen local volunteering.
Applicants must have an established network or partnership that enables activities to start immediately, with applications to close at 9am, Monday, July 18. Successful applicants will be announced in August.
Details: volunteer.vic.gov.au/grants.
