Community ICT Grants Program

Acting Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan today invited community organisations to apply for funding under the Victorian Government’s 2011 Community ICT Skills Grants program.

Mr Ryan said community organisations from throughout the state could apply for grants of up to $25,000 to fund projects that helped Victorians build information and communication technology (ICT) skills.

“The $600,000 program is particularly targeted towards assisting those groups within the community who have traditionally been less likely to access computer technology such as Victorians living in remote or isolated rural locations, senior citizens, migrant and refugee communities and people with a disability,” Mr Ryan said.

“The effective use of computer resources can support individuals make the most of opportunities for employment, education and skills development; as well as promoting increased independence and providing another forum for social interaction.”

Mr Ryan said funding could be used for a variety of projects including volunteer training, development of training materials or online resources for community networking and the purchase of equipment.

“In 2010, the Community ICT Skills Grants program provided funding of over $450,000 to fund a variety of important projects run by 23 organisations across Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.

“For example, one group used funding to train facilitators from a diverse range of backgrounds, who were then able to instigate computer training sessions within their own cultural communities.

“In some rural communities recipients used the funding to create mobile ICT resources, such as an internet bus, in order to provide access and training to those in isolated areas who might otherwise have missed out.”

Mr Ryan said the Victorian Coalition Government encouraged all those interested in applying to seek further information via the Department of Planning and Community Development website at, www.dpcd.vic.gov.au

Applications for the 2011 Community ICT Skills Grants program close on 21 October 2011.