Canberra's community groups are calling on the government to minimise the "red tape" around project funding with a new, streamlined grant for incorporated associations.
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President of the Kingston and Barton Residents Group Rebecca Scouller pitched the idea in a budget submission. The grant would be open year-round and allow for funding up to $5000.
![Arab Australian Friendship Society vice president Ziad Jaber, president Maya Awik, Young Muslim Association president Camelia Bishier, and friendship society member Mohammed Berjaoui, who are backing a proposal for a new community groups grant. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong Arab Australian Friendship Society vice president Ziad Jaber, president Maya Awik, Young Muslim Association president Camelia Bishier, and friendship society member Mohammed Berjaoui, who are backing a proposal for a new community groups grant. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75yxh225wi16hilr5ed.jpg/r0_0_5338_3559_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"Grants, especially for small amounts of money, can be both very time consuming to apply for, and at the other end very time consuming for ACT officials to review in the acquittal process," she said.
"Whilst there always needs to be accountability for the use of ratepayer money, a process that required less red tape would have benefits for the community at large."
Ms Scouller's proposal would see groups present any idea they have to a grant panel for assessment, "whether that be a shade cloth for a school, watering system for community gardens, or new balls and nets for the local soccer club".
Members applying for the grant could include a ballpark figure of how much their project would cost, rather than going through the tedious process of getting exact quotes for services.
If their application was successful, the cost would be proven at the project's acquittal with receipts, and any leftover money would be refunded to the government.
"A grant that was assessed by ACT government officials, with a simplified submission and acquittal process ... where you didn't have to wait months to see if you were successful would open up so many options for community groups," Ms Scouller said.
As only incorporated associations - which require a minimum of five people - would be able to apply, it would give small or inexperienced groups "a more even playing field".
"You are not competing against larger organisations like universities and galleries," Ms Scouller said.
The Arab Australian Friendship Society, along with several other community groups, is backing the idea. They say they have had several grant applications rejected in the past, including for youth and elderly-orientated programs.
"We've not applied for any grants in a few years because I knew from [the previous president] that it was a waste of time," society president Maya Awik said.
Both Ms Awik and the Young Muslim Association's president Camelia Bishier, who is also a member of the friendship society, have full-time jobs.
"Everyone is a volunteer, so to spend time is already an effort," Ms Bishier said.
"I know it is for our own society, our own benefit as well ... but the organisation is not only for one particular group.
"Australians are also welcome [and more community projects would] let us be family together."
A member of the Friends of the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Grant Battersby, said the group would love the opportunity to host events in the hopes of boosting their numbers.
Although they received equipment through the ACT Parks and Conservation Service, they didn't have the funding to do so. Like the Arab Australian Friendship Society and the Young Muslim Association, the group didn't charge members.
"The pressure on the wetlands from the current and envisaged population increase will be one of the major things; there will be a lot more upkeep needed," Mr Battersby said.
A spokeswoman for the ACT government said it had a range of grant programs across different areas, which incorporated associations could apply for.
Proposals for grant programs would be welcome through the annual budget consultation process, which would start later this year.