The Tasmanian Government has announced a significant funding boost to promote healthier communities with more than $1.5 million now available through the latest round of Healthy Tasmania Grants. This financial support aims to back a wide range of community health initiatives, with both local government and community organisations invited to apply.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, unveiled the new round of grants, emphasising their role in advancing Tasmania’s health goals. These grants are a cornerstone of the Healthy Tasmania Five Year Strategic Plan, designed to foster community connections and promote healthier living. Barnett highlighted the grants’ focus on preventative health, stressing their importance in addressing health issues before they become more serious.
The Healthy Focus and Step Forward grant programs are the two main avenues for support. Healthy Focus grants offer funding between $20,000 and $100,000 for projects lasting up to two years. These grants are intended for larger initiatives aimed at improving public health in various ways. Eligible projects can include efforts to enhance healthy eating and physical activity, reduce alcohol-related harm, bolster health literacy, support mental health, or promote smoke-free environments.
The Step Forward grants, on the other hand, cater to smaller projects with funding up to $5,000. These grants are ideal for activities such as staff training, designing health promotion materials, or purchasing equipment for community groups. The goal of these smaller grants is to enable grassroots initiatives that contribute to overall community wellbeing.
Applications for Healthy Focus grants will be open until 30 September 2024, while Step Forward grant applications will close a week earlier on 23 September 2024. Barnett expressed his pride in the focus areas of the Healthy Tasmania initiative, which are designed to reduce barriers to leading a healthy lifestyle. He believes that by prioritising preventative health, Tasmania can tackle emerging issues effectively and ensure long-term health improvements for its residents.
This new round of grants reflects the government’s commitment to investing in community-led health projects. By supporting initiatives that range from large-scale programmes to small, impactful activities, Tasmania is taking a proactive approach to building a healthier future for all its residents.
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