Stream 2: Partnership and Capacity Building

The focus of the Capital of Equality Grants Program is removing any barriers to equality for LGBTIQ+ communities in the ACT and surrounding region. Projects that receive funding must contribute to at least one of the following outcomes:

1. Improved understanding of LGBTIQ+ experiences
2. Improved wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ people
3. Increased participation of LGBTIQ+ communities
4. Increased capacity and leadership.

Projects are strongly encouraged to be led by or engage with the following LGBTIQ+ communities:

• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• People of faith
• People with lived experience/s of disability
• People aged between 12 - 25 years old
• People aged over 55 years old
• Other identities not captured by ' LGBTIQ+' acronym.

The following activities are not eligible for support through the Capital of Equality Grants Program:

• Projects the do not contribute to the objectives of the program
• Projects that duplicate effort or seek ongoing funding which do not expand or build upon previous work
• Expenses not considered as supportive of program objectives including the purchase of alcohol, personal living expenses and other expenses not related to the project detailed in funding applications
• Activities organised or supported by political parties
• Funding applications seeking retrospective funding
• Costs associated with the purchase or lease of land, property, or vehicles
• Competitions, commercial ventures, or fundraising activities
• Overseas conferences, training, or study tours
• All vocational and tertiary degrees and courses - Exceptions may apply under stream 2 where there may be a connection between an employee taking a course and future organisational sustainability
• Advertising or marketing campaigns related to operations not funded through these grants.

If you cannot meet the applicant eligibility criteria, you may choose to be auspiced by an entity that can meet the criteria.

If you need an auspicing agreement, this is something you can discuss with the Office of LGBTIQ+ Affairs.

Your application will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Does it meet eligibility for funding in the stream you are applying for? Include information about why your project is a priority
2. Does your project show a need for your targeted community? Describe how your project will contribute to achieving the program outcomes
3. Does your project show a benefit? Describe how your project will benefit LGBTIQ+ Canberrans including people who are from diverse backgrounds.

Each application will be assessed against the guidelines and the selection criteria. The assessment panel will consider the application as a whole. It will make an assessment on the merit of the application. It will assess the application against the aims and objectives of the Capital of Equality - An ACT Government strategy and its ability to address priorities for Canberra’s LGBTIQ+ community.

All successful applicants must:

1. be accountable for funds received from the Office of LGBTIQ+ Affairs and comply with all conditions and guidelines of the Capital of Equality Grants Program.
2. return any unspent funds to the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate.
3. seek written approval from the Office of LGBTIQ+ Affairs to make any variation to the project, as detailed in the application form. Requests to amend the scope of the project need to be addressed to the Office of LGBTIQ+ Affairs, clearly outlining why the change of purpose is required. Applicants should not assume that a change of purpose request will be approved.
4. comply with the ACT Government’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy.
5. be able to demonstrate that every effort is being made to ensure that the principles of access and equality are guiding the development of the organisation and any programs that it conducts.
6. inform the Office of LGBTIQ+ Affairs in writing if they have applied for any other grant program for the same activity or engaged any external sponsors. A copy of this agreement will be required upon signing the Deed of Grant by the recipient.
7. provide suitable acknowledgment of the financial support provided by the ACT Government under this program including:
   1. an acknowledgement of the ACT Government in all documents, brochures, books, articles, newsletters, other artistic works or literary works or advertising, and provide all of these to the Office of LGBTIQ+ Affairs for approval prior to publishing anything bearing the ACT Government Capital of Equality logo.
   2. acknowledge the funding provided through the program in any public event, media release or media coverage.
   3. on reasonable notice, invite the Office for LGBTIQ+ Affairs to participate in any public event, media release or media coverage related to the funded activity.

Download the Capital of Equality Grants poster

Artist information
Henry Nguyen
He/him
Adelaide, Kaurna / Melbourne, Naarm / Vietnam
@henry_creativ

Download Capital of Equality Grants social media tile

Artist information
Henry Nguyen
He/him
Adelaide, Kaurna / Melbourne, Naarm / Vietnam
@henry_creativ