Lismore MP Janelle Saffin is urging local councils, Aboriginal-led organisations and multicultural groups to apply for a share of $840,000 in grants under the NSW Government’s 2025 Connecting Seniors Grant Program.

Ms Saffin says applications for the grant program opened yesterday (Monday, 16 September 2024), with 28 grants worth $30,000 on offer for locally-driven projects, programs and activities that foster inclusion for seniors, from social gatherings to dancing lessons and singing groups.

“What I like about this round of our program is its increased emphasis on intergenerational projects to foster social connection between older and younger people,” Ms Saffin says.

“Combatting ageism, promoting social inclusion, sharing lived experiences and breaking down stereotypes are all worthy things to aim for.”

The grant program is divided into five categories:

• Aboriginal Grants: Four grants for Aboriginal-led organisations or Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations for initiatives targeted for Aboriginal communities
• Multicultural Grants: Four grants for multicultural organisations for initiatives aimed at Culturally and Linguistically Diverse groups
• Creation Grants: Six grants for new projects
• Enhancement or Expansion Grants: Six grants to boost existing projects 
• Local Council Grants: Eight grants specifically for council-led projects.

The Aboriginal and multicultural categories are new this year with the aim of reaching a more diverse range of older people.

Since its launch in 2020, the grant program has funded more than 120 projects over 30,000 seniors across 82 Local Government Areas across NSW.

The grant program helps deliver on the NSW Government’s commitment in the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031 to promote inclusion for older people.

Applications for the grant program close on 21 October 2024. Find out more and apply at https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/service-providers/grants/connecting-seniors-grant-program-2025.html.