Growing Regions Round 2 opens

Exciting news, guidelines have been released for round two of the Growing Regions Program.  Applications open on 5th September and close on 10th October.

Many things different to round one.  Expression of interests have gone, there is $400 million available instead of $200 million, the type of eligible projects has been refined, the merit criteria have changed, and probity is now a core part of the assessment process. 

The very positive changes to an improved grant program reflect the ANAO review of round one as Section51 has blogged previously. Each of the changes has increased your chance of success. Double the funding available means that more councils and community groups will be funded in round two. 

The type of eligible projects has been clearly defined to link with the policy outcomes the Australian government is trying to achieve.  As the guidelines say ‘The list of examples of eligible activities align to place-based priorities and support community liveability.’  This is a specific reference to the Regional Investment Framework which is the principal policy the grant program is based on.  Projects such as water and road infrastructure which can access other grant funding have been excluded.  

The merit criteria have changed.  Contribution to social and community inclusion and alignment with Government and regional strategic priorities are criteria 1 & 2.  For policy nerds like Colin, we know that these are a now based on the most important document that the Albanese Government has released in the last two years called ‘Measuring what Matters’.  This document, from the Treasurer Jim Chalmers, defines the policy objectives of the government in social and community inclusion including fairness, equity, women, first nations, youth and more.  Alignment with Government and regional strategic priorities is about how your project will achieve the policy outcomes of the Regional Investment Framework.

After a ten year break, probity has returned to the grants process.  As the guidelines say, ‘An external probity advisor will be appointed by DITRDCA to provide probity advice, briefings and support to the panel’.  Another reason for probity is that as of 1 October 2024, brand new ‘Commonwealth Grant Guidelines’ come into effect.  The implications for how you write Australian Government Grants is significant but that will be for another blog.

From Section51 perspective Growing Regions Program Round 2 is one of the best grant program guidelines we have seen in a very long time.  The reason is that with the probity component this is not about if you are in the right electorate and going to provide a photo opportunity.  Instead Growing Regions 2 provides every council and community with a fair and equal chance of success based on how you can achieve great things for your community.   We look forward to helping councils prepare great applications.

Have a look at our website  at www.section51.com.au or send an email to [email protected] or call Colin on 0423337563 and we can chat if you would like to know more.