Council offering funds for projects connecting communities through food

The theme for this round of Connecting Neighbours Grants program is the universal love of sharing food. Photo: iStock/DisobeyArt.

If you love food and have ideas about how food can bring your neighbourhood together, then you could be in the running for a grant from Wollongong Council.

Council has opened applications for the latest round of funding through its Connecting Neighbours Grants program.

The program provides small grants to community members and groups who want to make a positive impact in their local area and build connections between neighbours and local communities.

Previous grants have been awarded to a variety of projects including a picnic day at Rhododendron Gardens, an afternoon tea street party in Coniston, a walking school bus in Port Kembla and a gardening day at Berkeley.

Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said the theme for this round of funding was around the universal love of sharing food.

“We’re looking for creative ideas that connect people in the community to each other,” he said.

“This could look like a BBQ to welcome the new neighbours, a street or neighbourhood picnic, a cooking workshop at a community centre or something else entirely.”

Successful projects should celebrate healthy, sustainable, affordable and accessible food.

To apply for funding, you must live or be based in the Wollongong Local Government Area.

Residents can apply for a grant of up to $250 (with at least two other friends or neighbours who support the idea), or a grant of up to $10,000 with the written support of a local organisation prepared to sign an agreement with council if the application is successful.

Suitable support organisations include a local neighbourhood or community centre, a sports group, club or larger community organisation.

Applications close at 5 pm on Monday 28 August. To apply, visit council’s Connecting Neighbours Grants page here.