New Initiatives Announced in Connecting Seniors Grant Program

Two new categories, Multicultural and Aboriginal, have been introduced to the Connecting Seniors Grant Program for 2025, with the goal of expanding opportunities for community groups and local councils to foster social connections and support for seniors.

A total of 28 grants, each valued at $30,000, are available across five categories, with a particular emphasis on intergenerational projects designed to strengthen the social bonds linking older and younger individuals.

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, highlighted the positive impact of the Connecting Seniors Grant Program in enhancing the social lives of seniors. “Take a visit to our community venues on any day of the week and tour our community centres and community-run clubs you will witness a hive of activity, where it is easy to see how grant programs like Connecting Seniors are making a real difference, keeping our seniors engaged and active,” Tesch commented.

Tesch encouraged community groups and councils to participate by submitting creative ideas through grant applications, with the purpose of nurturing meaningful and long-lasting connections within the senior community. Potential activities under the grant could include social gatherings, salsa dancing lessons, song clubs, or other inclusive events.

The Aboriginal Grants category is specifically aimed at projects led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), while the Multicultural Grants category focuses on initiatives led by multicultural organisations that cater to individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Tesch expressed her enthusiasm about seeing the projects funded through the Connecting Seniors Grant Program come to fruition, as they play a vital role in keeping seniors engaged and active.

The grant program supports the New South Wales (NSW) Government’s commitment outlined in the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031, which aims to promote the inclusion of older people. Applications for the 2025 grant program are open until October 21.