Applications are now open for Round 2 of COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN’s Bushfire Recovery Grants. The grants aim to assist local communities in strengthening social connectedness, emotional wellbeing, recovery and healing from the 2019/2020 bushfires in the Shoalhaven and Southern NSW region.

According to Dianne Kitcher, CEO of COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN, the funding is a crucial part of the Commonwealth-funded ‘Supporting Communities in Recovery’ program.

“To aid in ongoing recovery from the devasting bushfires in our region, we are running another round of funding for bushfire-affected communities,” said Ms Kitcher. “Government-funded grants of up to $10,000 are available to fund grassroots, community-led health and wellbeing activities. Round 2 of the grants will focus specifically on building social connections in COVID-safe ways, and particularly with hard-to-reach people and isolated communities,” she added.

“The types of activities that will be considered include COVID-safe events, initiatives or education sessions which support individuals and communities, focus on building community resilience, and promote help-seeking.”

To date, COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN provided over $367,000 in bushfire recovery grants to 67 community projects across South Eastern NSW. Many initiatives are underway, with some already completed.

Kristy McBain MP, Member for Eden-Monaro, said that the projects funded across the region have been delivering a strong message of recovery and community spirit.

“We have seen an incredible amount of community activity in the aftermath of the bushfires. The Nerrigundah Agricultural Bureau’s Community Support Get-Together pre-COVID-19 was especially important for small, isolated communities in the Eurobodalla,” said Ms McBain. “With only 15 homes left standing out of around 48 properties, and more than seven weeks without electricity and other essential services, residents were able to reconnect with each other and revive community spirit,” she added.

Fiona Phillips MP, Member for Gilmore, provided further insight into the projects funded across the region and the valuable impact they have had on communities.

“It has been inspiring to see community groups across the South Coast come together to help and support local people in their recovery from this incredibly difficult year,” said Ms Phillips. “Projects such as the Stormbirds training program, the Surfrider Foundation’s Youth Surfing program, the Moos News, and more have been incredibly important to the local communities they are supporting and it has been inspiring to see the results."

The experiences from Round 1 grants and COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN’s recent Community Health and Wellbeing consultation into local needs following the bushfires and COVID-19 have informed the priorities for Round 2 of the Bushfire Recovery Grants.
Organisations and community groups based in bushfire-affected areas in the Shoalhaven and Southern NSW are eligible to apply.

To apply please visit: communityconnect.coordinareuat.undev.com.au/bushfire-recovery-grants. On this page, you can find more information on eligibility, application guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), as well as download the application form.

This initiative is supported by funding from the Australian Government through the PHN Program.

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