Earlier this year community groups were invited to apply for innovation grants up to $5000 to help the community recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

Funding for the innovation grants was included in the City’s 2020/2021 Budget with the City   introducing a $1million fund to support households, community groups and small businesses that employ staff and are subject to closure or highly impacted by the shutdown restrictions announced by the Government as a result of the coronavirus.

Mayor Margaret Thomas said applications for the Innovation grants program were of a very high standard showing demonstrable benefit to the local community by assisting the community to recover from COVID-19 as well as displaying innovation and creativity to improve social connections and participant resilience.

“The successful applications detailed inventive projects that will deliver significant social benefits for the community,” Cr Thomas said.

“Programs ranged from those aiming to aims to boost physical and mental health and encourage participants to become actively involved and empowered in partnerships within their community through physical activity through to projects such as ‘Community Connects’  which involves hampers delivered to the City of Kalamunda residents and families experiencing financial hardships,. The Reclink All Abilities Sport and Recreation Program will see the implementation of weekly all abilities sport and recreation activities delivered at the Hartfield Recreation Centre.”

“We also saw several successful applications for free come and try days and community events to ensure that we have a strong sense of community connection. Our hope is that this funding provides much needed relief for our community through our grassroots clubs, groups, hubs and service-providers.”

For more information on how the City is continuing to support the community and local businesses at this difficult time, visit kalamunda.wa.gov.au, call 9257 9999 or email enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au