- Age-friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Program opens today.
- $220,000 grant funding will be available to local governments and not-for-profit organisations.
- Two grant streams will fund projects that improve older peoples' connections to community, including a new stream to support local governments seeking to join the World Health Organisation's Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (WHO GNAFCC)
Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch announced today that $220,000 in grant funding is being made available by the Cook Labor Government to support the creation of age-friendly communities in Western Australia.
'Age-friendly' is an internationally recognised best practice approach to creating communities that are inclusive and accessible for people of all ages.
Grants of up to $15,000 will be available through the Age-friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Program to local governments and not-for profitorganisations to undertake initiatives that build older peoples' connection to community.
This year, for the first time, a second funding stream will be available to help local governments join the World Health Organisation's Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (WHO GNAFCC).
The grants program builds on WA's status as an international age-friendly leader, and as the first Australian jurisdiction to become an affiliate of the WHO GNAFCC.
WA is one of only 18 affiliates of this network world-wide which connects cities and communities globally with the common vision of making their community a great place to age.
Funded by the State Government and managed by Local Government Professionals WA (LG Pro WA), the grants program will support projects that challenge ageism, reduce loneliness, and improve older peoples' connections within their community.
The grants form part of the WA Seniors Strategy 2023-2033 Action Plan and will support the Department of Communities to work collaboratively with local governments and not-for-profit organisations to implement age-friendly seniors-related strategies.
The Age-friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Program closes on 6 September, 2024. Find out more here.
Quotes attributed to Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch:
"With an ageing population, we must ensure now more than ever that our communities are age-friendly so we can all access the activities and services we need to live fulfilling lives as we age.
"The Age-Friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Program ensures a collaborative approach for local governments and not profit organisations to implement new seniors-related strategies.
"This year, we are also ensuring local governments have the opportunity to profile their age-friendly leadership to an international audience and to cement their community's commitment towards valuing older people, as part of the global age-friendly network."
