Cardinia Shire Council, in collaboration with the Cardinia Foundation and South East Water, celebrated a successful inaugural Community Grant Expo on Wednesday, 12 February.
The event drew a large number of local community members eager to learn about available grant opportunities and enhance their grant application skills.
The expo served as an essential resource catering to a wide range of attendees, including community and business groups, sports clubs, non-profit organisations, and various local committees.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik praised the impressive turnout and the positive response from the community.
“The success of the Grant Expo highlights the community’s dedication to making a positive impact in our shire,” said Mayor Kowarzik.
“We’re thrilled to see so many engaged community members eager to bring their projects to life. We are committed to empowering local groups and organisations to deliver initiatives that align with council priorities and improve our shire.”
Expo attendees engaged with a wide range of information stalls, gaining insights on grant opportunities.
They were offered guidance and practical advice, including project brainstorming on several grant categories, including liveability, arts and culture, and economic development.
The two afternoon grant writing information sessions provided participants with the knowledge and essential strategies to develop compelling grant applications.
Representatives from key partner organisations, including South East Water and The Cardinia Foundation, were also present, providing tailored advice to assist participants in navigating the complex grant process. The collaborative efforts resulted in a vibrant atmosphere filled with collaboration, networking and knowledge sharing.
The Cardinia Community Grant Expo has set a strong foundation for future events, reinforcing the importance of community support in fostering successful projects across the shire.
The council encourages all community members to utilise the Community Grants Program to help deliver their community initiatives.
Applications are currently open for the following grant categories:
-Wellbeing Support Grants applications are open until 6 April 2025.
-Community Capital Works Grants applications until 20 March 2025.
-Business Group Support Grants applications are open until 28 February 2025.
To learn more about available grant opportunities, including eligibility requirements and application forms, visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/grants
