1 Introduction

The veteran community comprises both current serving and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their families. In the ACT, the veteran community is an integral part of our city and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Together, with their families, veterans may require support in areas such as employment, rehabilitation and recognition to assist with social inclusion, especially as they transition from the ADF.

The ACT Public Health Emergency, including the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions, has also presented challenges in the way veterans connect, access support and participate in our communities.

The Inclusion and Participation Division within the Community Services Directorate (CSD) is pleased to announce the 2021-22 Veterans Grant Program (the Program).

2 Aim

The primary aim of the Program is to support veterans and their families’ wellbeing and social inclusion. To best meet the needs of the veteran community, a focus on older veterans, contemporary veterans and veterans’ families might be considered collectively or separately as the focus of the grant application.

Applications are sought for innovative projects that promote veterans as valued members of the ACT community, promote active and healthy living and enable them to participate in community activities.

Additionally, the Program will provide funding for projects that take into account the evolving COVID-19 environment, including projects that both respond to issues veterans are experiencing as a result of the pandemic and projects that have capacity to adapt to ACT Public Health Directions.

3 Funding priorities

Applications are sought for projects in the following priority areas:

3.1 Support and participation for veterans

Projects, activities or initiatives which promote inclusion and participation for veterans and their families.

This includes projects which improve employment, health and wellbeing outcomes for veterans and their families and promote participation in the following activities:

• sport;
• the arts;
• life style programs;
• skill development; or
• other social engagement focused programs.

Projects that encourage activities in local outdoor community spaces, which support active lifestyles and reduce social isolation.

3.2 Communication and education

Projects, activities or initiatives that assist veteran specific and mainstream organisations increase their capacity to link veterans and their families with supports available.

3.3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans

Projects, activities or initiatives which relate to the priorities listed in the guidelines above that focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans.

COVID-19 Response and Recovery
Projects, activities and initiatives which respond to the needs of veterans in relation to the COVID-9 Public Health Directions, including but not limited to a focus on reconnection and re-engagement of veterans within their communities. This also includes the capacity of projects to adapt to the evolving COVID-19 environment, including changes in ACT Public Health Directions which may impact delivery.

4 Available funding

A total of $80,000 (GST exclusive) is available through the 2021‑22 Veterans Grant Program across all funding priorities.

Grants are one-off for the programs/activities/initiatives specified and are not intended as a recurring funding source.

Eligible community organisations operating in the ACT may apply for a non-recurrent grant of up to $10,000 (GST exclusive) for projects which will be completed by 31 December 2022 that support the Program’s funding priorities.

If more than one (1) organisation applies for funding to work together to deliver a project, the total funding provided for the project cannot exceed $10,000.

5 Eligibility requirements

5.1 Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. The applicant organisation must be one of the following:

• a not-for-profit incorporated association or company;
• a not-for-profit organisation with other legal status; or
• a not-for-profit organisation in an auspice arrangement with one of the above (a or b).

2. Applicants (or auspice organisations) must have a current public liability insurance policy with a cover of a minimum of $10 million.

3. Provide programs/activities for the benefit of residents of the ACT.

4. Have no overdue reporting obligations for any previous ACT Government grant including: evaluations, acquittal reports and audited financial statements.

5. Applicants cannot be individuals, profit making groups, government entities or registered political parties.

6. Applicants must ensure that the declaration at the end of the application form is made by the Chief Executive Officer, President or equivalent of the applicant organisation (or the auspice organisation if applicable). This person must have the financial and management responsibility for the organisation.

5.2 Obligations of auspicing body

An auspice is an organisation that accepts legal responsibility including financial accountability for a project. If your organisation is not a legal entity you will need to arrange for an organisation that has legal status to act as an auspice.

The Auspicing Body w