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Let's Stay Connected Fund

The Let’s Stay Connected Fund has been developed to help communities to stay connected during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond.

Overview

Illustration of a person connecting to their WiFi device

The Victorian Government’s Let’s Stay Connected Fund is helping communities stay connected during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond.

Community organisations were invited to apply for grants of between $5,000 and $200,000 to support innovative, community-led initiatives that build connection, reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Successful projects will be implemented quickly and help a wide range of community groups continue to support their communities

The Let’s Stay Connected Fund is now closed and the fund is not accepting applications.

Objectives of Program

The objectives of the program are to combat social isolation and loneliness issues in the community and:

  • better connect program participants with others in the community
  • provide opportunities for the community to contribute or volunteer during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
  • increase the capability of participants to connect with both their community and support organisations
  • assist service providers in increasing their reach
  • increase the capability for the community to support the socially isolated
  • ensure an equitable spread of support across both metropolitan and regional areas
  • increase collaboration between Government and support services to assist people experiencing social isolation as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Funding Details

Activities and projects that may be considered include but are not limited to:

  • engagement approaches using new and innovative technologies that are accessible and inclusive to diverse communities
  • supporting organisations to develop digital content or purchase specialist equipment to enable initiatives to be provided online
  • supporting locally led partnerships to address social isolation and loneliness in the community
  • targeted engagement approaches for vulnerable cohorts, particularly for members of the community who do not have internet access and or / the skills to utilise technology
  • establishing or growing innovative community and small enterprise projects and recreation initiatives that address loneliness and social isolation
  • increasing access to communications channels and providing training and upskilling opportunities to build people’s capability to access online resources
  • collaboration that builds community cohesion
  • increasing local community participation in activities designed to assist communities to connect and reduce loneliness and social isolation
  • help to reduce social isolation and loneliness for people whose health has been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

The program will be delivered in two streams:

  • Stream 1 – Targeted - existing projects that can be “scaled up” to a broader audience (local, regional or state level).
  • Stream 2 – Open - allowing applications from community groups, recognised charities, chambers of commerce, peak bodies, industry and LGAs to fund the establishment of new and “scale up” existing innovative projects that will help to address social isolation and loneliness in the community as a result of the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Successful projects

Successful projects will help a wide range of community groups continue to service their communities by adapting the way they deliver programs or events through online forums, activities and services.

Details of the successful applications across regional Victoria are provided below.

Details of the successful metropolitan Melbourne applications.