Community Action Grants – Stream 1: Community Projects - Part C – Application Information

Table of contents

Preface

The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA or the Department) has a suite of documents (the Program Guideline Suite) which provide information relating to the program. They provide the key starting point for parties considering whether to participate in the program and form the basis for the business relationship between FaHCSIA and the funding recipient.

They are:

  • Part A: Program Guidelines which provides an overview of Program and the Activities relating to the program;
  • Part B: Information for Applicants which provides information on the Application, Assessment, Eligibility, Selection and Complaints processes; Financial and Funding Agreement arrangements.
  • Part C: Application Information provides specific information on the Activity, Selection Criteria, Performance Management and Reporting. This part should be read in conjunction with the Draft Funding Agreement for the Activity and the Standard Terms and Conditions.
  • The Application Form which is completed by applicants applying for funding during a selection process.

FaHCSIA reserves the right to amend these documents from time to time by whatever means it may determine in its absolute discretion and will provide reasonable notice of these amendments.

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1 Program Overview

The Gender Equality for Women Program provides informed government decisions aimed at improving gender equality through coordinated whole-of-government advice and support for women’s economic security, safety and leadership.

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) provides leadership in Australian Government policy and program management on issues affecting women and gender equality, Indigenous family1 and community safety and the delivery of women's safety initiatives. FaHCSIA provides coordinated government advice and support to the Minister for the Status of Women.

Under the Gender Equality for Women program FaHCSIA is responsible for undertaking a range of strategies to improve women’s economic outcomes, ensuring women’s equal place in society, improving whole of government work on gender equality and providing support to victims of people trafficking program; and has primary responsibility for Australia’s involvement in high level international forums concerned with improving gender equality and the status of women.

FaHCSIA also has responsibility for implementing a range of initiatives to achieve the outcome of reducing violence against women, particularly in taking forward the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, in partnership with state and territory governments.

1.1 Program Outcomes

The program outcome is to implement strategies in priority areas to achieve gender equality for women. These priority areas include:

  • reducing violence against women;
  • demonstrating Australian Government leadership on gender equality;
  • increasing opportunities for women to contribute to Australian Government decisions;
  • increasing opportunities for women to undertake valued leadership roles; and
  • creating business and workplace cultures that deliver better economic choices and outcomes for women.

1.2 Aims and objectives

FaHCSIA’s Outcome 6: Women aims to improve gender equality through coordinated whole-of-government advice and support for women’s economic security, safety and status.

The Gender Equality for Women Program aims to implement strategies in priority areas to achieve gender equality.  The priority areas include reducing violence against women, demonstrating Australian Government leadership on gender equality, increasing opportunities for women to contribute to Australian Government decisions, increasing opportunities for women to undertake valued leadership roles and creating business and workplace cultures that deliver better economic choices and outcomes for women.

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2 Activity Overview

The Community Action Grants are part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.  The National Plan was endorsed by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments on 15 February 2011.

The Australian Government’s intentions for the Community Action Grants were outlined in the 2010 election commitment:

$3.75 million to support community action to reduce violence against women including:

  • Community projects to prevent domestic violence and encourage respectful relationships, building on the Government’s successful social marketing campaign www.theline.gov.au. Funding will be available to assist specific communities including women with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and gay and lesbian communities.
  • Support for sporting codes to establish zero tolerance programs in local clubs.

This Application Information relates to Stream 1 – Community Projects, that is community projects to prevent domestic and family violence and encourage respectful relationships, only.

2.1 Aims and objectives

The main aim of the Community Action Grants is to support community action to reduce violence against women through projects which prevent domestic and family violence and encourage respectful relationships.

The grants work to make communities safe and free from violence by:

  • strengthening communities’ ability to prevent, respond to and speak out against violence;
  • changing community attitudes and behaviours so that violence against women is not tolerated; and
  • encouraging community responsibility to support the reduction of violence against women.

These objectives contribute to the overarching objectives of FaHCSIA’s Outcome 6: “to improve gender equality through coordinated whole-of-government advice and support for women’s economic security, safety and status, particularly in the priority area of reducing violence against women.”

These objectives also contribute to key actions by Australian governments identified in the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022, under Outcome 1: Communities are safe and free from violence:

  • to promote community involvement by encouraging schools, community, sporting and business groups to prevent, respond to, and speak out against violence
  • to promote community involvement by changing community attitudes through local initiatives that complement a national social marketing campaign
  • to focus on primary prevention by building primary prevention into the work of community, sporting and local government agencies and business groups.

Funded projects must have a focus on primary prevention in reducing violence against women2 and/or encouraging respectful relationships (rather than crisis or support services).

While not limiting the types of acceptable community activities in Stream 1 - Community Projects, these activities may include:

  • training of community leaders to promote and support primary prevention of violence against women
  • workshops to promote and support primary prevention of violence against women
  • development, promotion or implementation of resources to promote and support primary prevention of violence against women
  • promotion of issues through community based activities designed to engage the priority target groups.

2.2 Participants/clients/recipients/target group

Funded projects would be targeted at assisting community action to prevent violence against women.  Priority will be given to projects that provide support to specific communities of older women, women with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and gay and lesbian communities.  Projects outside the priority areas will also be considered.

2.3 Funding for the activity

Funding of up to $3,000,000 over three years has been allocated for Community Action Grants Stream 1 Community Projects.  Applicants can apply for one off funding for up to $250,000 per project over three years from July 2011. The funding will need to be spent by 30 June 2014.

2.4 Eligible costs and use of program funding

The following areas of project costs will be considered eligible costs and an appropriate use of program funding:

  • staff salaries and on-costs for project implementation, ongoing management only;
  • evaluation and review;
  • staff training;
  • materials and equipment directly related to the implementation of the Community Action program;
  • operating expenses directly related to the implementation of Community Action such as office materials, utilities, insurances, vehicle leases, telephones, economy class travel, bookkeeping, and audit;
  • travel within Australia directly and specifically related to the project; and
  • delivery of services which meet the program guidelines.

Funding will not be provided for the following categories of costs, whether or not the project may otherwise meet the selection requirements:

  • costs that are not directly and specifically related to the project, e.g. ongoing staff wages, rent, overheads and administrative costs of existing operations or related activities that would usually be funded from another source;
  • seed funding or establishment grants for peak bodies or other new organisations (legal entities);
  • funding for activities and services that are the responsibility of another Australian Government Department or another sphere of government and would more appropriately be funded by another source;
  • overseas travel;
  • relocation costs; and
  • retrospective costs, including costs incurred in the preparation of this Application.

2.5 Specialist requirements (e.g. Legislative requirements)

Successful applicants for this funding will need to meet the specific legislative requirements in the state(s) or territory(ies) where the project will be conducted: 

  • for working with children or other vulnerable people;
  • mandatory reporting.

2.6 Activity performance and reporting

FaHCSIA focuses on outcomes, however other information, not related to outcomes includes information that can be used to:

  • monitor the ongoing operation of the program for evaluation of services; and
  • track issues that may affect the operation of the program.

FaHCSIA’s Performance Indicators focus on three key questions:

  • did we make a difference?
  • how well did we do it?
  • how much did we do?

Performance Indicators based on these questions will be included in the Funding Agreement for successful organisations. Examples of the types of performance indicators are noted below.  Successful applicants would report against performance indicators that are relevant to their project.

Performance against agreed targets for the indicators, and some additional information needed to evaluate program performance, must be reported in progress reports and a final report as outlined in the Funding Agreement with the Department.  Annual audited financial acquittal reports and a final acquittal report will also be required. 

Activity Performance Indicators

Did we make a difference?

  • Proportion of participants/community members reporting increased awareness about respectful relationships, ethical behaviour, and preventing violence
  • Proportion of participants reporting increased knowledge and skills in conducting respectful relationships, ethical behaviour and preventing violence
  • Proportion of participants reporting that they believe that violence against women is unacceptable, as a result of involvement in the project
  • Proportion of participants reporting a positive change in their behaviour towards women as a result of involvement in the project
  • Number of participating communities that commit to actions that will support the reduction of violence against women

How well did we do it?

  • Rating of funding recipient’s achievements against the key delivery requirements specified in the Funding Agreement
  • Percentage of all participants drawn from priority groups
  • Proportion of community members from participating communities aware of the project activities

How much did we do?

  • Number of participants
  • Number of activity sites
  • Number of sessions held
  • Number of community initiatives established to promote awareness of violence against women

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3 Overview of the Application Process

The process will be an open competitive selection process. 

Open competitive selection processes are open to all providers operating in the market place.  Open processes are advertised through the media, the FAHCSIA Internet site and other sources in order to attract as much interest as possible. 

3.1 Selection Criteria

  1. Identify the need for the project in the proposed community
    Demonstrate the need for community action to address gender inequality, prevent violence against women, and encourage respectful relationships in the proposed community.  Communities may be either geographically-based (such as local regions) or demographically-defined (such as women with disabilities).
  2. Project approach, development and design
    Describe the theoretical approach and evidence base for the project, including how existing models or tools could be adapted or incorporated into the proposed approach.  Demonstrate how the project will use the proposed approach to support the prevention of violence against women, and encourage respectful relationships in the proposed community.  Priority will be given to projects which work to prevent violence for one or more of these priority groups: older women; women with disabilities; culturally and linguistically diverse communities; and gay and lesbian communities.
  3. Project activities and implementation
    Describe the proposed project, the activities and how the project will be implemented within the proposed budget, to deliver value for money.
    While not limited to the following, below are some types of community activities which may work to promote the primary prevention aims of the grants:
    • training of community leaders to promote and support primary prevention of violence against women
    • workshops to promote and support primary prevention of violence against women
    • development, promotion or implementation of resources to promote and support primary prevention of violence against women
    • promotion of issues through community based activities designed to engage the priority target groups.
  4. Expertise and experience of organisation, and qualifications of staff
    Demonstrate that your organisation has the experience and expertise to develop or conduct a project to support the prevention of violence against women.  Include information on how your organisation will ensure that the staff delivering violence prevention programs or activities will have the relevant qualifications, training, expertise and supporting supervision to conduct the activity.  Demonstrate that your organisation has the competence and project management experience to support this project. 
  5. Partnerships and relationships to the proposed community
    Demonstrate the extent to which your organisation has the support of the proposed community for the project. Describe the partnerships your organisation would form with other relevant organisations to ensure the success of the project.
  6. Evaluation
    Describe how your organisation will monitor and evaluate the project to assess its effectiveness.  Demonstrate your organisation’s experience in monitoring and evaluating a project of this kind, including working with an independent evaluator.  Describe how the evaluation results will be used to inform next steps beyond the life of the funding, and contribute to broader understanding and the evidence base for best practice.

Please note applications must meet all selection criteria to at least an adequate level of quality (minimum rating of 2) to be considered for funding.  Any application that is assessed as not meeting a selection criterion to this minimum level will not be considered further in the assessment process.  Details of the rating scale are provided on page 9 in Part B: Information for Applicants.

3.2 How to submit an application

To apply for selection under this process, applicants will need to complete the Application Form and respond to selection criteria as detailed at above, in accordance with Part B: Information for Applicants.  Applications will be lodged by email.  Applicants wishing to send hard copies can also lodge applications through the FaHCSIA tender box. Applications must be either received by FaHCSIA within the application period, or postmarked by the closing date and time as detailed at 3.5.  The Department will not issue Application Forms nor accept completed applications by fax.

3.3 Questions and Answers during the Application period

Questions from applicants about the application form and assessment process will be accepted through an email inbox and by phone on 1300 138 494.  Responses to questions will be provided within two business days of receipt, or as soon as possible thereafter where probity or legal advice needs to be obtained.

Questions and answers for this funding round will close on 5 pm AEST (five business days before the application close date) on Monday 23 May 2011, to allow for final answers to be available to all applicants. Responses to questions would be provided to all potential applicants through the department’s website.

The Department will only respond to requests for information that seek clarification of issues to allow them to better understand the requirements of the Application Form and Program Guidelines.

3.4 Questions after the application period

The Department will not accept or respond to any applicant’s requests for information or correspondence about the status or progress of their application during the assessment phase.

3.5 Closing date and time

Applications will close at 5 pm AEST Monday 30 May 2011.

Applications must be either received by FaHCSIA within the application period, or postmarked by Monday 30 May 2011 to be considered.

FaHCSIA may reject any application lodged after the closing date. If an application is late, FaHCSIA may determine that there were exceptional circumstances beyond the applicant’s control that meant the deadline could not be met. The applicant will need to supply documentary evidence to support any exceptional circumstances. FaHCSIA has no obligation to accept a late application. Any decision by FaHCSIA to accept or not accept a late application will be final.

3.6 Application Acknowledgement

Unless prior agreement has been reached with FaHCSIA an application will not be considered lodged until it is received by FaHCSIA. The applicant will receive email notification from FaHCSIA within 2 business days of an application being lodged correctly. If the applicant has not received notification in this timeframe, the applicant should contact FaHCSIA to confirm that the form has been lodged correctly.

3.7 Assessment Process and Selection of Successful Applicants

The assessment process for the Community Action Grants – Stream 1 - Community Projects is outlined in Section 3 of Part B – Information for Applicants.  As noted in Stage 4 of that section, the Department will prepare a list of recommended applicants following assessment against the Selection Criteria, consideration of the Financial Viability Assessment, a Service Provider Capacity Risk Assessment, and funding priorities noted in section 4.2 below.

The Department’s decision relating to Successful Applicants will be finalised when the Minister for the Status of Women indicates acceptance of the final list of successful applicants.

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4 Special conditions applying to this activity

4.1 Eligible and in-eligible organisations

To be eligible for funding organisations must be either:

  • Incorporated Associations (incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have 'Association' or 'Incorporated' or 'Inc' in their legal name);
  • Incorporated Cooperatives (also incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have "Cooperative' in their legal name);
  • Companies (incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001) limited to not-for-profit
  • Aboriginal Corporations (incorporated under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2006 and administered by the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations).;
  • Organisations established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or State/Territory legislation (many public benevolent institutions, churches, universities, unions etc); or
  • Local Governments.

4.2 Funding Priorities

Funding priorities for Community Action Grants will be based on:  the range of proposed delivery models; projects which assist identified priority communities; and geographical location.

Projects would be selected so that the final mix of successful projects:

  • represents a range of activities which strengthen the community, increase awareness in the community and encourage community responsibility;
  • includes projects assisting priority communities of older women, women with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and gay and lesbian communities; and
  • is drawn equitably between states and territories.

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5 Contact Information

  • Address: Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
    PO Box 7576, Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610
  • Telephone:  1300 138 494
  • Email: %20cag@fahcsial.gov.au
  • Website: www.fahcsia.gov.au
  1. Programs for Indigenous family safety are funded through Outcome 7.5 Closing the Gap in the NT.
  2. Primary prevention involves taking action to prevent the problem of violence before it occurs. It means working to change the underlying causes of the problem, in the different environments where people live and work.

 

Content Updated: 7 June 2012