Cardinia announces first grants and workshops for 2024

Cardinia mayor Jack Kowarzik at a Halloween event supported by a council festival and event grant.

By Emma Xerri

In an exciting update that will surely lighten the load for local community groups, the Cardinia Shire Council has already reopened three of their grant applications for 2024.

With more set to open in the coming months, the first three already encompass a wide range of areas, from festivals and events, community capital works, and wellbeing support, each closing their applications on 29 March.

The Community Capital Works Grants Program serves to assist community groups to upgrade Council owned and Crown Land facilities.

The grant has categories open for applications – for either council-coordinated works, public facilities or major equipment – and community groups will have access to up to $20,000 or $35,000, depending on the category.

Also with three categories is the Wellbeing Support Grant, which has seeding, volunteer support and small change funding opportunities available, the largest grant at $5000.

And with only one general grant on offer, the Festival and Events Grants Program boasts available funding of up to $10,000, to assist with community festivals and events, art festivals and events, cultural festivals and events, and agricultural shows and major events.

As well as the grants announcement, the Cardinia Shire Council has also unveiled a suite of free one- and two-day business workshops, the first beginning on February 19.

Covering all bases, the workshops will focus on a plethora of areas, from business planning, increasing workplace disability confidence, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) small businesses, and mentor sessions.

For more information and to apply for the current grants, visit cardinia.vic.gov.au.