About the program
The Stronger Communities Programme (SCP) provides grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 to community organisations and local governments for small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities.
The input of the community is a key element of the SCP. Projects are selected by Members of Parliament (MPs) and their community consultation committees, and are then submitted to the Government for assessment.
The SCP has committed funding to over 15,000 community–based projects across Australia.
All Rounds of the SCP have been very successful, with a wide variety of projects funded including upgrades to community halls and clubhouses, equipment for both aged care and day care facilities, men's sheds and associated equipment, scoreboards, computers, inflatable rescue boats and disaster recovery generators.
Funding rounds
Applications for the SCP Round Eight, which had $150,000 available for each of the 151 federal electorates to support small capital projects across the country, have now closed.
Program guidelines for Round Three to Eight and other program related information is available at: Business.gov.au. Program guidelines for Rounds One and Two are here: PDF: 343 KB.
Funding of up to $181 million was available under the Rounds One to Eight of the SCP in the 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years.
List of projects
A list of projects for Round One and Round Two can be found on the Department's Grants Reporting webpage, archived on Trove, together with a list of projects for Round Three with a commencement date before 31 December 2017.
Since 1 January 2018 all Departmental grants are published on the Whole of Government grants website GrantConnect (grants.gov.au).