Marles urges groups to nominate projects for funding

Corio MP Richard Marles and North Shore Football Club's new coaches box. (Supplied)

Corio MP Richard Marles has encouraged community groups across the Corio electorate to put forward their projects for funding.

The federal government has opened expressions for the seventh round of the Stronger Communities Programme, designed to support local projects and contribute to vibrant communities.

Under the program, each electorate is given $150,000, which is allows for up to 20 community grants of between $2500 and $20,000 to support community projects.

Mr Marles said previous rounds of the grants had been valuable to groups in Geelong.

“In the past, these grants have been successful in helping a range of organisations across Geelong, including a coaches’ box upgrade at the North Shore Football Club and a youth wellbeing zone at CentreStage Theatre Company,” he said.

“Grants can have a big impact in the community and these will help build back community groups activities.”

The North Shore Football Club received $19,998 under the program in 2019, which allowed it to build a two-level coaches’ box at Windsor Park.

CentreStage received just over $17,300 under the previous round earlier this year to purchase a shipping container to be used a wellbeing zone for young people.

For the seventh round, the grants will be able to fund 100 per cent of eligible project costs.

Community consultation is a critical element of the program and in consultation with their community, each MP will identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate.

Identified projects will then be invited to apply for a grant.

Expressions of interest close 5pm Wednesday, December 1.

Details: richardmarles.com.au/grants/grant/stronger-communities-programme-2021