The ACT Government is pleased to announce the opening of the 2022 ACT Reconciliation Day Grants Program (the Program).

The Program directly aligns with the Core Focus Area of Cultural Integrity from the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028Open this document with ReadSpeaker docReader which aims to support a society that fosters the aspirations of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and contributes to the building of respectful, fair and sustainable communities.

Reconciliation is about building relationships, respect and trust between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Reconciliation is not just about one day each year – rather it is a movement about addressing cultural change, attitudes, and beliefs to raise our community’s understanding of our shared history.

The inaugural ACT Reconciliation Day initiative: Reconciliation in the Park was held on Monday 28 May 2018, at Glebe Park in the City.

Since this time, the ACT Government has continued to support our community conversation about Reconciliation at Reconciliation in the Park events across the Canberra Region.

The Program provides funding to support individuals and organisations to hold meaningful initiatives in the lead-up to, during, or in support of the Reconciliation Day Public Holiday on 30 May 2022.

Preference will be given to individuals and organisations that can demonstrate incorporation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities into their organisational structures (designated board membership, staff and senior management positions, advisory services). The incorporation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is to assist the individual or organisation to work in a culturally appropriate manner and in recognition of the need for including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities in service design and delivery.

The Program for 2022 is limited to individuals and not-for-profit organisations. Education institutions and for-profit organisations are not eligible to apply for the 2022 ACT Reconciliation Day Grants. However, individual students and student or parent-led organisations that meet the eligibility criteria may apply to undertake activities at an education institution.

Aim

The 2022 ACT Reconciliation Day Grants Program (the Program) aims to support community organised events, which are held by individuals or organisations, with a strong focus on Reconciliation, specifically:

1. Promoting understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in the wider community;
2. Celebrating and raising the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in the wider community;
3. Promoting understanding of, and the impact on, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of past policies and historical events;
4. Delivering opportunities for children, young people, and elders to be involved and participate in community events that promote Reconciliation; and
5. Developing seminars and/or panel discussions on the importance of Reconciliation for all Australians.

Available Funding

Total funding of $50,000.00 (GST exclusive) is available for the Program.

Individuals or organisations can apply for a Reconciliation Day Grant for an amount up to $5,000.00 (GST exclusive).

Grants are one-off for the specified purpose and are not intended as a recurring funding source.

Please note: You can apply for a grant up to the amount specified above, however it is at the discretion of the assessment panel as to whether you will receive the full amount requested.

Preference will be given to individuals or organisations who can demonstrate incorporation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities into their organisational structures (i.e., designated board membership, staff and senior management positions, advisory services) to support the service design and delivery of culturally appropriate initiatives.

Please see document for more details.