Grants of up to $50,000 are now available to regional and remote Aboriginal controlled organisations, as part of the Territory Labor Government’s continuing rollout of its Local Decision Making Agenda.

The Remote Aboriginal Governance and Capacity Building Grants Program is designed to help Aboriginal organisations improve their skills in effective governance and to build their capacity to deliver community-led initiatives and programs.

The program is part of the Territory Labor Government’s key Local Decision Making policy, which is working to support Aboriginal Territorians to play a greater role in how their communities are run.

The Remote Aboriginal Governance and Capacity Building Grant is available to assist community controlled organisations to:

• Improve governance structures (including legal status and management of governance arrangements);
• Build leadership, negotiation and governance/board member skills and expertise;
• Improve operational rigour (including financial accountability, project management, human resources and procurement expertise);
• Support community organisations in transitioning to local providers.

Grants applications opened on 28 September 2020 and close on 8 November 2020.

Applications and further information is available at aboriginalaffairs.nt.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Selena Uibo.

“The Territory Labor Government is delivering for Aboriginal Territorians.

“We are continuing the rollout of our significant Aboriginal advancement agenda centred on self-determination and empowerment, underpinned by our commitment to Treaty, Local Decision Making and ensuring land and sea ownership delivers on economic and social aspirations.

“Our government recognises that building strong Aboriginal organisational governance is important in ensuring local people drive local solutions and service delivery in their own communities.

“I encourage all eligible Aboriginal organisations to apply.”

Quotes attributable to previous grant recipient, Red Cross Special Projects Officer, Joan Meredith.

“This funding allowed the Tiwi Islands Wangatunga Women’s Group build governance capacity where other grants were not set up for this particular type of assistance.

“The grant is allowing us to walk alongside and support these women to assist them in their vision to deliver services to the Tiwi community.

“These strong women are now able to honour the work started by the women who came before them, while moving into the future confident in their ability to provide very needed services for their community.”

Media contact: Kim Stephens 0417 683 144