Apply Now: Connecting to Country Program (Australia)

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

The Connecting to Country program is inviting applications from Western Australian Aboriginal people and organisations for grants supporting on-Country projects that strengthen cultural connections, transfer knowledge between generations, preserve language and traditions, and build stronger communities. Applicants can request up to $25,000 per project, with the program covering up to 100 percent of eligible activity costs.

About the Connecting to Country Program

The Connecting to Country program supports Western Australian Aboriginal people and Aboriginal-led organisations in maintaining and revitalising cultural connections through on-Country activities. The program recognises the importance of passing cultural knowledge from one generation to another and aims to support the preservation of Aboriginal languages, traditions, stories, practices, and cultural skills. It also seeks to strengthen Aboriginal communities by supporting cultural leadership, particularly among young people, and contributing to community wellbeing. What Does the Program Support? The program supports a wide range of on-Country activities that help Aboriginal communities maintain and strengthen cultural connections.

Supported activities may include:

- Travel to culturally significant places. - Intergenerational cultural learning experiences. - Language preservation activities. - Story and cultural knowledge sharing. - Dance and traditional cultural activities. - Youth projects reconnecting young people with Country and culture. - Community-led healing initiatives. - Documentation and archiving of stories and cultural knowledge. - Activities that strengthen traditional ways of maintaining cultural knowledge. - Women’s business or men’s business activities, where applicable. Projects should contribute to cultural preservation, intergenerational learning, community connection, or Aboriginal cultural leadership. Intergenerational Cultural Knowledge Transfer A key priority of the program is supporting the transfer of cultural knowledge and skills between generations. Projects may create opportunities for Elders and other knowledge holders to share important cultural knowledge with younger generations through activities such as: - Language learning. - Sharing stories. - Traditional dance. - Cultural skills. - On-Country learning. - Traditional knowledge practices. These activities can help ensure that important cultural knowledge continues to be maintained and passed on to future generations. Youth and Cultural Leadership The program recognises the role of young Aboriginal people in maintaining and strengthening cultural connections. Youth-focused projects may support young people to reconnect with Country, culture, language, traditions, and community. The program also aims to recognise and strengthen Aboriginal cultural leadership, particularly among young people who can contribute to the continuation of cultural knowledge and community traditions. Community Wellbeing and Healing Connecting to Country also supports activities that contribute to stronger Aboriginal community wellbeing. Projects may include community-led healing initiatives and activities that create opportunities for people to reconnect with Country, culture, family, and community. By strengthening cultural connections and traditional knowledge, projects can contribute to stronger community relationships and wellbeing. Documenting and Preserving Cultural Knowledge Funding can support projects that document, preserve, and archive stories and other cultural knowledge for future generations. Documentation projects may help communities maintain cultural information and create resources that support future intergenerational learning. For activities involving women’s or men’s business, applicants should ensure that secret or sacred information is not required as part of the application or acquittal process. Funding Available Applicants can request up to $25,000 per project. The program can fund 100 percent of eligible activity costs. The amount requested should be appropriate to: - The scale of the project. - The duration of the activities. - The expected community impact. - The resources required to deliver the project. Applicants are encouraged to include cash and in-kind contributions from other sources where available, as these can strengthen the application. Who Can Apply?

Eligibility is limited to Western Australian Aboriginal people and organisations

Eligible applicants may include:

- Western Australian-based Aboriginal individuals. - Aboriginal groups. - Aboriginal-led organisations. - Organisations working with Aboriginal people in community. Organisations working with Aboriginal communities must demonstrate strong Aboriginal governance and significant community involvement in the proposed project. Aboriginal Leadership and Governance Aboriginal leadership is a central requirement of the program. Applications should demonstrate Aboriginal involvement in: - Project planning. - Consultation. - Decision-making. - Project delivery. - Cultural leadership. Projects should be developed and delivered with meaningful community participation rather than simply working with Aboriginal communities without their involvement in key decisions. What Makes a Strong Application? A strong application should clearly demonstrate how the proposed project will strengthen cultural connections and benefit the Aboriginal community involved.

Applicants should consider demonstrating:

- Strong Aboriginal leadership. - Meaningful community consultation. - Community involvement in decision-making. - Clear opportunities for intergenerational knowledge transfer. - Connection to Country and culture. - Benefits for language, traditions, stories, or cultural practices. - Opportunities for young people to engage with culture. - Contribution to community wellbeing. - A realistic project plan. - A budget that reflects the scale and expected impact of the activities. E