Stronger Country Communities Fund

Grants for projects that deliver beneficial infrastructure or community programs that boost the wellbeing of regional NSW communities through improved amenity and positive social outcomes.

Current status of program

CLOSED

To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.

On this page you will find

• An overview of the Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF)
• Every detail you will need to know
• Resources and help to get the grant

What is the Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF)?

The Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF) aims to boost the wellbeing of communities in regional areas by providing funding for new or upgraded social and sporting infrastructure or community programs that have strong local support.

Examples that funding is available for can include projects for local community and sporting infrastructure, projects for street beautification, projects enhancing accessibility and inclusion for people with disability, projects improving outcomes for Aboriginal people, community programs and local events.

SCCF level of support

Grant

• Minimum grant amount is $100,000 and the maximum amount is the Local Government Area (LGA) total funding allocation*

Co-contribution

• Minimum 25% cash co-contribution for funding of $2 million or more

Contact the Department of Regional NSW for the maximum funding allocation for your LGA.

SCCF important dates

• This program is currently closed
• Register your interest here with GrantHelper

SCCF objective

The objective of the fund is to boost the wellbeing of communities in regional areas by providing new or upgraded social and sporting infrastructure or community programs that have strong local support.

Organisations eligible for SCCF support

Eligible council applicants:

• NSW regional councils, excluding Greater Sydney, Wollongong & Newcastle
• NSW regional joint organisations of councils
• Section 355 committees of council (via the relevant council)

Eligible community applicants:

• Community organisations registered as incorporated associations
• Not-for-profit community organisations registered as public companies
• Local Aboriginal Land Councils
• Lord Howe Island Board
• Unincorporated Far West groups

Ineligible applicants:

• Unincorporated organisations, individuals and for profit and commercial organisations
• Councils in Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle

Eligible council applicants are encouraged to work with community groups and key local stakeholders to identify and gain support for projects in their LGA, and to consider partnerships where the eligible council applicant is the landowner.

Eligible applicants must have or be able and willing to purchase at least $20 million public liability insurance.

See the guidelines for full details of eligibility criteria.

Projects eligible for SCCF support

Projects must deliver public benefits and be for infrastructure or community programs that boost the wellbeing of regional areas through improved amenity and positive social outcomes, specifically:

• construction of new, or upgrades to existing, local community infrastructure
• construction of new, or upgrades to existing, local sporting infrastructure
• capital works related to street beautification and other public places that promote the health, happiness and wellbeing of the community
• delivering programs that benefit the local community and provide public benefit
• infrastructure to assist the delivery of general community programs
• infrastructure or community projects or programs which improve and promote accessibility and inclusion

Projects seeking to improve and promote accessibility and inclusion should apply universal design principles that move beyond current day compliance standards and provide dignified and equitable inclusion for people with disability.

Projects seeking to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people must align with the skills, aspirations and experiences of local Aboriginal communities and deliver positive social outcomes.

Projects are ineligible for funding if they are:

• located outside an eligible LGA or across multiple LGAs
• exclusively for planning activities
• for the maintenance or construction of local roads or delivery of essential/core services which are the ordinary responsibility of council or other levels of government
• seeking retrospective funding
• seeking grant funding for ongoing staff or operational costs beyond 3 years from project announcement
• for a general works package without specific scope, costs and location
• exclusively for marketing, branding, advertising or product promotion including tourism marketing
• providing direct commercial and/or exclusive private benefit to an individual or business
• not clearly providing benefits that will significantly contribute to the objective of the fund
• the recipient of duplicate grant funding from another NSW or Australian Government grant program for the same project
• solely for the maintenance of any infrastructure without upgrading its functionality

See the guidelines for full details of project eligibility criteria.

Project costs eligible for SCCF support

Eligible project costs may include those associated with:

• building new or upgrading existing local community amenity and community service infrastructure
• delivering community programs and events

See the guidelines for examples of eligible project activities.

Applicants may include up to 25 per cent of the total project cost for contingency and up to 10 per cent of the total project cost for project management and administration.

Ineligible project costs include:

• costs related to buying or upgrading non–fixed equipment or supplies
• the purchase of vehicles or other modes of transportation
• purchase of land or buildings
• financing, including debt financing or rental costs
• costs relating to depreciation of plant and equipment beyond the life of the project
• non-project related staff training and development costs
• for infrastructure projects, funding for any ongoing staff or operational costs
• for community programs, funding for ongoing staff or operational costs beyond the scope and timeframe of the funded project
• projects that seek to solely subsidise memberships for existing services
• project management or contingency costs that exceed the eligibility requirements

See the guidelines for full details of ineligible costs.

Applying for SCCF

Applications are submitted via the SmartyGrants portal.

Eligible council applicants will be required to submit all their projects (up to a maximum of 10) in one application form.

Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to increase your chances of success.

Information to prepare for the SCCF application

All applications must include:

• a clear project scope
• a project plan
• a project budget based on quotes or detailed estimates, reasonable assumptions or previous experience with similar projects
• landowner consent if the land is not owned by the applicant
• proof of incorporation for community groups
• evidence of $20 million Public Liability Insurance in the name of the applicant
• evidence of project co-contribution for projects requesting $2 million or more in funding (if applicable)
• a letter of support from the relevant NSW sporting organisation if a sports-related project is seeking over $2 million in grant funding (if applicable)
• evidence of community consultation and strong community support for the project

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

SCCF assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

Ref	Criteria
1	Viability – realistic budget, cost effective and value for money – deliverable in stages and within 3 years – access to necessary expertise and support – self-sufficient post-funding
2	Community support – evidence of community consultation and support
3	Alignment with Stronger Country Communities Fund objective – demonstrable community benefits – alignment with relevant Disability Inclusion Action Plan (for applicable projects) – alignment with aspirations and experiences of local Aboriginal communities (for applicable projects)

See the guidelines for full details of assessment criteria.

SCCF resources

• Source
• Guidelines

Scroll down for a sample of previous recipients.

How do I get SCCF?

You should read and understand the guidelines.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• an inclusive project aligned with the fund objective and the needs of their community
• evidence of community/council consultation and support, as well as benefits to the community
• a viable and cost-effective project plan/budget that represents value for money
• the financial capacity and necessary expertise to support successful completion of the project within the agreed timeline

Check out our How to Prepare Before You Apply insight.

Most importantly, and before you start an application, you need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below will not be considered.

Check out How to write a successful grant application to learn more about how to win government grants for your business. Our in-depth eBook is the single most valuable resource you will find that helps organisations to truly understand how to win government grants.

I need help applying for grants

Is your business eligible for this government grant? Or perhaps you’re not sure and want to know more?

GrantHelper offers a range of government grant services, helping businesses of all sizes to discover, apply for, and win the best grant opportunities. We can help you with anything from finding the right grants, to writing your application, formulating an ongoing grant strategy, and more.

Get started now by filling in the form below, or tap the ‘Book a Discovery Call’ button to schedule a no-obligation virtual meeting with an experienced government grants consultant.

Prefer to talk? Call 0409 478 850 now for a no-obligation discussion. We’re here to help your business better understand grants, submit your best possible application, and get you in the winners’ circle.

Sample of previous SCCF recipients

LGA	Project	Awarded funding
Warren	Local pool facilities and filtration upgrade	$742,966
Mudgee	Construction of a new water park	$800,000
Armidale	Youth program providing support for young people in Armidale	$100,000
Inverell	A new youth centre and program providing integrated facilities/support for young people in Inverell	$138,000
Warren	Construction of a new water park	$608,000
Armidale	Resurfacing of netball courts improving player safety	$600,000
Warilla	Creation of a new music studio helping boost the skills and confidence of disadvantaged youths	$204,000
Kiama	Construction of a new amenities building and upgraded player change and toilet facilities for Kiama AFL	$665,944

A full list of previous recipients is available on the nsw.gov.au website.