FNQ & NQ Monsoon Trough – Category C Flexible Funding Grants Program

This program aims to provide flexible grants to Queensland-based non-government organisations, research bodies, industry groups and peak bodies, community groups, and Local Governments in the 39 disaster affected local government areas of Aurukun, Barcoo, Boulia, Burdekin, Burke, Cairns, Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Cook, Croydon, Diamantina, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Longreach, Mackay, Mapoon, Mareeba, McKinlay, Mornington, Mount Isa, Napranum, Northern Peninsula, Palm Island, Pormpuraaw, Richmond, Torres Shire, Torres Strait Island, Townsville, Whitsunday, Winton, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah.

The funding will assist in implementing projects aimed at driving recovery and building awareness to:
- Reduce future risks and minimise community dependence on government assistance.
- Enhance self-efficacy and community efficacy.
- Minimise negative impacts and embrace opportunities.
- Promote connectedness, encourage support networks and social inclusion.
- Support and promote opportunities for sustainable economic recovery.
- Support business and service provider continuity.
- Promote preparedness and resilience to future disasters.

There are two types of grants available:
- Small grants: Between $2,500 and $50,000
- Large grants: Between $50,000 and $150,000

A total funding pool of $15.5 million (GST exclusive) is available over two years from 2019 to 2021, allocated as follows:
- Round 1: $4.5 million to be released in July 2019
- Round 2: $11 million to be released in March 2020

A third funding round may be opened should all funds not be fully expended in either of the first two rounds.

Eligible applicants include:
- Organisations and agencies based in Queensland, or evidence of a Queensland-based auspicing agency if applicant is based outside of Queensland.
- Organisations such ascommunity groups, local councils, non-government organisations, peak & industry groups, and research bodies.
- Groups and organisations with no outstanding financial liability, service delivery or performance issues for funding previously and currently provided by the Queensland Government.
- Groups and organisations who hold the appropriate public liability insurance required to undertake their project and all related activities, consisting of a minimum value of $10 million.
- Groups and organisations with a registered Australian Business Number (ABN).

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible projects include those that promote:
- Recovery from the impact of the disaster.
- Community education and information.
- Planning for the community’s future.
- Disaster preparedness and building community capacity.
- Healing and self-expression.
- Community connectedness and identity.
- Capturing of stories.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of eligible projects and initiatives.

The main assessment criteria include:
1. Small grants
- The project contributes to the recovery of the community from the impact of the disaster and/or contributes to the future disaster preparedness of the community.
- Evidence of community support and participation in the project.
- Evidence of capacity to deliver the project to timeframe and budget.

2. Large grants
- The project contributes to the recovery of the community from the impact of the disaster and contributes to the future disaster preparedness of the community.
- Evidence of inclusive processes used to identify and prioritise the project/s such as community engagement or community development plans; and endorsement by Local Recovery Groups and/or Local Disaster Management Groups.
- Evidence of community support and participation in the development and implementation of the project.
- Confirmation of alternative funding source/s of any ongoing costs (e.g. maintenance of facilities).

The following are ineligible for funding:
- Groups and organisations based outside of Queensland with no Queensland-based auspicing agency.
- Individuals, or individual businesses or primary producers.
- Clean up activities.
- Replacing losses covered by insurance or claimable through other funding sources.
- Privately owned cultural assets, including collections, buildings and spaces.
- Capital works/places/objects owned by a State or Commonwealth Government department, agency or authority.
- Restoration of infrastructure such as buildings, roads or bridges.
- Environmental restoration.
- Covering existing debts or budget deficits.
- Projects that:
a) Are not related to disaster recovery from or future disaster resilience.
b) Have a political or religious outcomes focus.
c) May have a negative impact onexisting businesses/services.
- Projects benefiting individuals or individual businesses or primary producers.
- Facilities that are not open to the whole community.