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Grants to Boost Gender Equality and Diversity in Australian Politics

08 November 2022
Grants and Funding
Women's Leadership & Development Program. Women in Public Office Grant Opportunity. Open for applications 8 Nov - 19 Dec 2022

Grants will fund projects that support women in Australia to enter public office at local, state and federal levels.

The Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher has announced $5 million over five years to boost gender equality and diversity in Australian politics.

The Women’s Leadership and Development Program’s (WLDP) Women in Public Office grants will fund projects that support women in Australia to prepare for and enter public office at local, state and federal levels. The grant round acknowledges and seeks to overcome the unique challenges and barriers women face in running for public office.

“There are undeniable benefits from having more women in public office,” the Minister said.

“More women in public office and sitting at the decision-making table, irrespective of which political party they are a member of, improves policy outcomes for the broader community, and also has a positive impact on the culture within Parliament House.”

Eligible organisations currently delivering programs and resources that support and prepare women in Australia for public office are invited to apply for funding.

Proposed projects must be non-partisan and accessible to women across the political spectrum.

Applications will need to consider approaches that engage First Nations women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, women with disability, women from the LGBTQI+ community, women from diverse socio-economic communities, and women living in rural, regional and remote communities.

Applications from consortia are strongly encouraged under this round and will be prioritised to ensure the objectives of the grant opportunity can be met effectively.

Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual Information briefing hosted by the Department of the Prime Minster and Cabinet’s Office for Women on Wednesday 16 November 2022, from 10:00AM.

Attending provides organisations with the opportunity to connect with others who may be interested in forming a consortia. For more details and to register visit the virtual Information Briefing webpage.

The Women in Public Office grant opportunity is open for applications from Tuesday 8 November 2022 and closes Monday 19 December 2022.

WLDP funding opportunities, including the Women in Public Office, are advertised and submitted via GrantConnect the Australian Government’s whole-of-government grants information system.