Women and girls make up more than half of our population, yet their health has been overlooked and underdiagnosed for too long. The Victorian Government is dedicated to improving women’s healthcare in Victoria by setting a new standard for comprehensive, accessible, inclusive and high-quality services.
As part of the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program, grants are available to provide funding to assist non-government women’s health organisations to deliver women’s support groups.
These grants will aim to:
- improve women’s understanding of their healthcare journey
- reduce adverse effects of health issues, like loneliness
- create a safe space for sharing women’s lived experience
- minimise effects of any stigma women experience
- empower women to make decisions about their own health.
Successful recipients will share $500,000 per year over a 4-year period between 2023-27.
Program objectives
Applicants must establish new or strengthen existing online and/or face-to-face women’s health and wellbeing support groups and programs to be eligible for funding.
The support group or programs must deliver the following:
- sharing of both formal and informal information (including local evidence-based management and treatment options, other relevant services available, personal experiences and coping strategies)
- empowering women to make informed decisions about their own health and wellbeing
- providing a social context for women to develop mutual trust and build support networks
- providing empathy by allowing women to express their feelings in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment
- fostering hope for women who struggle with their health and wellbeing and its limitations of daily life
- facilitating information sharing and referral to relevant existing programs and initiatives
- strengthening the capacity of women to lead (or co-lead) support group design, delivery, and evaluation
- improving long term sustainability to meet women’s health needs, through partnering with relevant organisations, for example, Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals and Women’s Health Clinics
- increasing the number of women being supported (including participation from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women, women with disabilities, and women from non-English speaking backgrounds)
- strengthening the capacity of women to lead (or co-lead) support group design, delivery, and evaluation.
Grants are only available for funded activities.
Guidelines
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Victorian-based non-government or not-for-profit Womens Health organisations whose main purpose is to deliver women’s health outcomes may be eligible to apply.
In addition, you must be either be:
- an organisation incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or equivalent law, or
- a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 and registered as not-for-profit through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
- And, you must have:
- a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
- at least $10 million in public liability insurance to cover all aspects of funded activity for the term of the funding agreement – or an auspice arrangement with this insurance cover
- no outstanding final reports from other departmental grants.
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The assessment process will consider how the application:
- aligns with the program goals
- demonstrates an identified need for the grant and explains how the grant will respond to the identified need
- addresses one of more of the program objectives
- includes funded activities only
- demonstrates relevant experience in grant delivery, including within timelines and budget
- supports sustainability of the program (for example, linking with existing/future relevant programs, investments, and initiatives).
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The assessment process may take up to 1 month from the closing date. Applications will receive written notification of the outcome of the assessment process.
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- Review Women’s Health and Wellbeing Support Groups and Programs Guidelines and ensure your organisation meets the eligibility criteria.
Women’s Health and Wellbeing Support Groups and Programs Guidelines
- Gather the supporting documentation needed to complete your application.
- Complete the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Support Groups and Programs Grants - Grant Application Project Plan and submit it to prevention@health.vic.gov.au by 11.59pm 30 September.
Women’s Health and Wellbeing Support Groups and Program Grants - Grant Application
- Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
- An online information session for applicants will be held on 6 September from 2pm to 3pm (AEST).
- Review Women’s Health and Wellbeing Support Groups and Programs Guidelines and ensure your organisation meets the eligibility criteria.
Reviewed 06 September 2023