Community Builders
The Community Builders program provides funding for a range of services to strengthen communities and build their capacity.
These services include:
- community and neighbourhood centres where people can meet and access resources
- services and projects targeting particular groups such as men, women and cultural groups
- projects to support and build communities and community organisations, such as by providing mentoring schemes and management training.
why is this program important?
Community Builders was developed in response to evidence showing that making communities stronger is an effective way of reducing inequality and disadvantage.
Strong communities are more resilient, and are better able to respond to challenges.
who benefits?
Community Builders services are open to communities in NSW with a strong focus on assisting disadvantaged groups in the community.
Disadvantaged groups may include people on low incomes, people who are isolated due to where they live, people who have little or no access to community resources meaning they are not able to participate in community life and activities.
what does the program deliver?
Services funded by Community Builders fit into four service activity categories:
- community hubsare local centres that help improve the community’s connectedness and capacity e.g. by providing information and referral on local services; access to the internet, access to skills training, and a place for local groups to meet.
- community skills development projects work directly with community members to increase their ability to participate in their community e.g. through recruiting and training volunteers; providing training in mentoring and leadership and by providing training in how to establish and run community organisations
- community capacity building projects help build community strength by building links between community members with a focus on including disadvantaged groups e.g. by holding social or cultural events or by setting up a community network around a shared issue.
- community sector development projects build the capacity of service providers to work together on issues affecting their communities through the provision of professional learning, mentoring and network development skills.
how does it work?
Over 570 Community Builders services are delivered by non-government organisations and local councils, funded through Community Services.
Funded services are required to demonstrate that the services they provide meet the needs of the local area and address local, regional and Government priorities.
Community Builders was created from two former funding programs: the Area Assistance Scheme, and the Community Services Grants program (CSGP). During 2010/11, services that were previously funded under these two funding programs were transferred across to Community Builders.
Community Builders key documents
- Transitioning CSGP community strengthening services to Community Builders
- Resource allocation to regions and networks
what funding is attached to this program?
The NSW Government has committed $48.8m in 2010/11 to the Community Builders program.
what’s happening in 2011/12?
The 2011/12 Community Builders fixed term funding round will open on Monday 28 May 2012. Applications will close at midnight on Thursday 28 June 2012. Further details about the round, including Program Guidelines 2012 and the Request for Tender information package will be available on the Community Builders website when the round opens on 28 May.
key links and resources
For more information about the Community Builders funding program please visit the Community Builders website.