Funding and support to help older Canberrans stay connected

Following the eligibility check, the Grant Assessment Team will assess your application. The Grant Assessment Team includes:

• a chairperson
• 2 other assessors.

It may also include a representative from the Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing.

We appoint Grant Assessment Team members based on their knowledge of the priority areas.

Grant Assessment Team members will assess your application with the information you provided against the grant’s selection criteria.

If you have been successful in other recent grant rounds, the assessors may consider this during their assessment if we receive a high number of applications. This is to ensure fairness across all applicants.

All decisions on whether to award a grant, or the amount of a grant are at the sole discretion of the Health and Community Services Directorate.

Successful applicants must enter into an Agreement. This will be by a Letter of Offer with the Health and Community Service Directorate. The Letter of Offer will include:

• the grant we are offering
• how to accept an offer
• details on the funded grant amount
• the purpose or activity for which you have the grant
• the term of your funded activity for which you must expend the grant amount in full
• how to acquit your grant funds when you have completed the project.

• Celebration of African Australians Inc - $8,000 - Elder Abuse and Mistreatment Awareness Drumming: A 4-week drumming circle workshop to raise awareness of the abuse and mistreatment of older African Australian people in the ACT
• ACT Chinese Women Cultural Association Incorporated - $4,200 - Stay active, joyful, shine golden age: A series of seminars and workshops on dementia prevention, diet, activities and physical exercise
• YWCA Canberra - $9,780 - YWCA CARES: A year long series of workshops to promote active habits, group outings and resilience building with access to information on older people’s rights and safety
• Woden Senior Citizens Club Inc - $2,585 - Lunch and learn: Six information sessions and lunches in winter to address topics such as driving, aged care, downsizing and advance care planning
• Community Home Australia Pty Ltd - $8,000 - Creative Connections - Opening Minds through Art: An intergenerational art-making program for older Canberrans living with dementia paired with Year 5-6 students, culminating in an exhibition
• MARSS Australia Inc - $6,500 - MARSS CALD Elder Abuse Awareness Project: Information sessions delivered in language and English to increase awareness of wellbeing and elder abuse
• Environmental Collective Housing Organisation (ECHO) Inc - $600 - Conversations on future housing needs: Conversation and listening sessions to understand housing needs, preferences and challenges as tenants age
• Capital Region Community Services Limited - Amount not visible - Growing Together Community Garden: Creation of a community garden where older Canberrans can socialise and grow produce together
• Canberra Muslim Community Incorporated - $5,535 - Connected & Healthy Muslim Seniors Program: Weekly sessions addressing social connection, digital literacy, elder abuse awareness and community gardening
• Indian Australian Multicultural Sports Association - $4,000 - Active Ageing Through Sport and Wellbeing: Low impact sport and movement sessions followed by social interaction and wellbeing discussions
• Deaf Advocacy Sports and Recreation ACT Incorporated - $7,600 - Deaf Seniors Dance and Exercise Program: Weekly dance and exercise classes preparing for community performances
• Australian Tamil Cultural Society of the ACT Incorporated - $8,000 - Active and Connected Seniors Program: Activities including tai chi, yoga, walking groups, arts and crafts, outings and skills workshops
• GOPIO Canberra Incorporated - $5,200 - Happy and Healthy Senior Citizens: Information sessions on elder abuse, cyber scam awareness, health, wellbeing and social inclusion activities

• Music For Canberra Incorporated - $6,000 - Seasoned Voices Performance Program 2025: A grant for a senior’s choir to perform at aged care facilities and community events throughout the ACT in 2025
• Australian Chinese Culture Exchange and Promotion Association Incorporated - $2,570 - Healthy Food and Happy Dance for Seniors: A social event for 50 to 70 seniors to socialise and dance
• Woden Senior Citizens Club Inc - $2,400 - Seniors Talk 'n' Taste: A series of six interactive group sessions for seniors on healthy eating and food choices facilitated by a qualified dietitian
• The School Volunteer Program ACT Incorporated - $9,000 - Seniors Supporting Students in our Community: Recruitment and training of 100 senior volunteers to provide support to struggling students
• Multicultural Association of Canberra Incorporated - $2,300 - Elder Abuse & Digital Literacy Workshops: Workshops on digital literacy and financial, physical and emotional abuse awareness for seniors
• Bangladeshi Seniors Club Canberra - $6,000 - Positive Ageing for Canberra's Bangladeshi Seniors: A series of community activities including dinners, cultural activities and information sessions to strengthen community connections for seniors
• Legal Aid Commission ACT - $10,000 - OPALS Diary 2026: An increased print run of the 2026 Legal Topics for Older Persons Diary
• Canberra Girmit Association of Fiji Incorporated - $2,000 - Seniors Outreach Program: A social inclusion program incorporating education and awareness about elder abuse
• ACT Chinese Women Cultural Association Incorporated ACT - $4,200 - Spend our Old Age Happily and Safely: Ten workshops covering health and nutrition, arts and crafts, gardening and digital literacy
• Philippine Australian Association of the ACT and the Monaro Region Incorporated - $3,000 - A Wellbeing Program for Seniors: Five workshops, seminars and fitness sessions delivered using a culturally appropriate approach for the local Philippine-Australian community
• Yeddung Mura (Good Pathways) Aboriginal Corporation - $10,000 - Yeddung Mura Healthy Ageing Program: Delivery of physical and social programs for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members
• Australian Multicultural Action Network Incorporated - $6,430 - Empowering Elders: Promoting Respect, Inclusion, and Safety for Older Canberrans: A program of elder abuse and supported decision-making workshops, social connection activities, and volunteer training to support isolated or vulnerable seniors
• ACT Chinese Australian Association Inc - $1,900 - Explore New Skills, Enjoy Community Life: Establishment of a Chinese cultural social hub-style learning program
• YWCA Canberra - $5,500 - Seniors Connected: Weekly tech-help sessions to improve digital literacy and weekly activities focused on community projects, lifelong learning and social connection
• Integrated Cultures ACT Inc - $2,100 - Older the Better: A program of yoga sessions and an aromatherapy workshop
• Women With Disabilities ACT Incorporated - $6,600 - Collaging Community: A First Step to Bridge the Isolation Gap for Women Ageing with Disabilities in the ACT: A pilot arts-based workshop program designed to foster community, reduce isolation and reduce stress for Canberra women ageing with disabilities