Sydney invests $5m in community programs and businesses

The City of Sydney has announced the approval of more than $5 million in funding for the next financial year, benefiting a wide range of community programs, sustainable projects, businesses, and festivals.

A total of 179 projects have received funding, aiming to boost the local economy, enhance the city’s environmental initiatives, and bring cultural and creative ideas to life.

According to Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO, this funding plays a crucial role in supporting communities and invigorating local businesses. In the previous financial year, the City of Sydney awarded over $19 million in cash and value-in-kind grants, supporting various projects ranging from public art and community gardens to multicultural events and business programs. These initiatives contribute to making Sydney an outstanding place to live, work, and visit.

The grants and sponsorship funding encompass several areas:

Business Sector Support and Innovation Grants: Under this program, more than $1.25 million has been approved for 34 projects. These include forums focused on Sydney’s night-time economy, a business coaching program for creative organisations and artists, sustainability workshops for the hospitality industry, and a training program for First Nations and migrant entrepreneurs. Diversity Arts Australia has been awarded $40,000 to develop an online training program in the creative sector, promoting racial equity and inclusion.

Cultural and Creative Grants: Over $2.6 million has been awarded to 64 recipients for cultural and creative projects. These initiatives encompass a wide range of activities, such as the creation of a legacy mural in Chinatown, weekly live music performances by emerging artists in Redfern, a micro festival for artists and audiences with disabilities, and an Indigenous film festival in local cinemas.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney): To attract significant events and elevate Sydney’s profile as a world-class events destination, BESydney has received $300,000 in funding over the next three years. This support enables BESydney to compete for and secure globally recognized conferences, meetings, and incentive events, ensuring economic and social benefits for the city and the country.

Community Services Grants: Over $893,000 will be distributed among 22 community services projects. These include a free village-to-village shuttle bus service, the provision of refurbished mobile phones to vulnerable residents, a program to strengthen community connections and reduce social isolation among older women, and legal services and support for LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collaboration Fund: The Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC) has been granted $50,000 for its communications and capacity-building project. KBHAC aims to develop a strategic communications plan to promote its services within the local Aboriginal community and enhance the digital skills of its employees for improved community outreach.

Environmental Grants: The City of Sydney has also allocated funding for 20 green building grants, totaling nearly $146,000. These projects include the development of a net-zero action plan for the Shangri-La hotel to improve its environmental performance, as well as feasibility assessments for renewable energy and electrification in residential blocks across the local area.

The City of Sydney’s winter grants round is set to open from July 25 to August 22, offering further opportunities for community programs, businesses, and sustainable initiatives to receive support and funding.

To find out more about the City of Sydney’s grants and sponsorships programs and the application process, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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