Outdoor Active Recreation Participation Grants Program

Guidelines

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More People More Active Outdoors — A Framework for Outdoor Recreation in Western Australia 2019

Overview

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) identifies promotion of adventure and outdoor recreation as a challenge which must be addressed to achieve the key outcomes of increased participation, improved performance, greater well-being and enhanced social capital and organisational capability.

More People More Active Outdoors — A Framework for Outdoor Recreation in Western Australia 2019 was developed to guide local and regional outdoor recreation planning and encourage collaboration to maximise the benefits of outdoor recreation for participants and service providers.

The framework identifies 5 key pillars that support the benefits of outdoor recreation:

  1. Personal development, challenge, and enjoyment
    • Building resilience
    • Fostering spirit and identity
    • Changing lives of young people at risk
    • Encouraging challenge and risk taking.
  2. Improved health and wellbeing
    • Physical and mental health benefits
    • Social cohesion and inclusion
    • Avoided healthcare costs.
  3. Outdoor learning
    • Outdoor literacy
    • Outdoor education.
  4. Connection to nature
    • Getting back to nature
    • Volunteering
    • Environmental stewardship.
  5. Economic Development
    • Investment in tourism and recreational facilities
    • Pathways to employment.

The framework identifies the participation spectrum as a mechanism to improve experiences in outdoor active recreation. Progressing participants along the spectrum from the ‘Aware’ stage to the ‘Independent’ stage is key to getting more people to be more active outdoors.

Outdoor Active Recreation Participation Program Information

About the program

The Outdoor Active Recreation Participation Program provides financial support to organisations to deliver accessible outdoor active recreation opportunities for all Western Australians to increase participation, develop life skills and support the transition along the participation spectrum.

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) is seeking applications for projects that are aligned with the More People More Active Outdoors Framework and maximise the benefits of participating in outdoor active recreation activities.

Outcome and objectives

The outcome of the Outdoor Active Recreation Participation Program is that:

  • the benefits of outdoor active recreation for participants and service providers are maximised through the provision of accessible, inclusive and/or diverse outdoor recreation experiences.

The objectives of the Outdoor Active Recreation Participation Program are to:

  • increase participation opportunities for all Western Australians to actively engage in outdoor active recreation
  • provide opportunities for people to develop resilience, leadership, problem solving skills and build lifelong involvement and healthy habits through participation in outdoor active recreation
  • provide opportunities to support the progression of participants from the ‘Aware’ stage to the ‘Independent’ stage of the ‘Participation spectrum’ for outdoor active recreation More People More Active Outdoors Framework).

Definitions

Outdoor recreation
Outdoor recreation are activities undertaken outdoors in natural, rural, or urban open spaces where the environment is an important focus of the activity and there is a relationship between the participant and the outdoor environment, involving either interaction or appreciation and which may require modification or enhancement of outdoor settings to enable these activities to occur.
Active recreation
Active recreation are activities engaged in for the purpose of relaxation, health and wellbeing or enjoyment with the primary activity requiring physical exertion, and the primary focus on human activity.

Eligibility

The following organisations are eligible to apply:

  • DLGSC recognised state sporting associations (SSAs)
  • DLGSC recognised state active recreation organisations (SAROs)
  • local government authorities (LGAs)
  • local sport and active recreation clubs and associations
  • community organisations.

To be eligible for funding, organisations must:

  • be incorporated under the Associations Incorporations Act 2015 (WA) or a company limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or an indigenous organisation under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) or be registered as a Local Government Entity in Western Australia
  • possess an Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • maintain appropriate and sufficient insurance cover for the duration of the project. A certificate of currency of insurance for the coming year should be provided upon application. Please note, for Public Liability Insurance, a minimum value of
    $10 million per claim or occurrence giving rise to a claim is required.

In addition, the following will apply:

  • Organisations with outstanding acquittals for any DLGSC grant may have payments withheld until outstanding acquittal documentation is satisfactorily completed.

Ineligible organisations

  • State and Commonwealth government agencies
  • unincorporated not-for-profit organisations
  • commercial or for-profit organisations
  • educational institutions/agencies including schools, universities, and TAFE colleges.

Outdoor Active Recreation Participation Program Investment Framework

  • The Outdoor Active Recreation Participation Program is an application-based program with funding allocated to support the scope and reach of projects.
  • The program is an open and competitive grants program with applications assessed against the assessment criteria and ranked based on the merits of proposals.
  • Organisations can apply for between $5000 and $50,000 to deliver a project.
  • Projects must be delivered from 1 February 2025 and conclude by 30 June 2026.
  • Organisations are encouraged to make a co-contribution of financial and/or in-kind support to the total project costs.
  • Grants should not constitute the entire financial base of an organisation.
  • Auspice arrangements are not accepted.

Funding can be used for

  • project-based staffing costs (for example, employment of instructor)
  • training of volunteers and required approvals (for example, attainment of skills/qualifications, Working with Children Checks, first aid course fees)
  • venue and equipment hire (not owned or occupied by applicant)
  • advertising, publicity, promotion, marketing, printing and publishing costs
  • catering for volunteers and/or officials directly involved during project delivery
  • transport costs (for example, bus hire)
  • provision of interpreting and translating services.

Funding cannot be used for

  • individual membership fees
  • single experiences or one-day events
  • existing programs, competitions, activities, or work that can be delivered or extended without additional funding
  • existing, ongoing or recurrent organisational costs (for example, employee salaries and employment costs, insurance, lease or rental payments, administration expenses)
  • projects that would be more appropriately supported through an alternative funding source or existing DLGSC grants program
  • projects undertaken outside of Western Australia
  • projects that have already been funded by DLGSC, unless it expands the reach
  • projects that have already taken place or have commenced
  • capital works (for example, purchase of land or buildings, repairs, extensions, renovations or maintenance)
  • purchase of capital equipment (for example, computers, photocopiers and vehicles)
  • purchase of merchandise or sporting equipment (for example, clothing, uniforms, safety equipment, water bottles)
  • trophies, prize money or gifts
  • hospitality functions (for example, awards dinners, catering, alcohol, entertainment).

How to apply

Application information

  • Read and understand the grant guidelines before starting the application process.
  • Read and familiarise yourself with the More People More Active Outdoors Framework before applying.
  • Discuss your project with a DLGSC Recreation Team member before applying.
  • Only 1 application per organisation will be considered.
  • Late applications will not be accepted.
  • Incomplete applications may be considered unsuccessful upon submission.
  • Complete all sections of the application form and submit with the following supporting documentation:
    • a copy of your organisation’s incorporation certificate
    • a copy of current public liability insurance certificate (minimum required is $10 million)
    • a detailed project plan (complete in attached spreadsheet)
    • a comprehensive budget (complete in attached spreadsheet)
    • evidence of bank account details (only for new organisation or changed bank details).

Submit your application form and supporting documentation by 5pm on Wednesday 16 October 2024 via the link provided on the application form.

You will receive an automated confirmation via email when you submit your application. If you do not receive the confirmation email, contact a Project Officer on the details below before the application closing time. 

Funding rounds

RoundOpenCloseIndicative notificationProject beginning after/betweenCategory
2024/259:00AM 18 September 2024 5:00PM 16 October 2024 December 20241 February 2025 to 30 June 2026Outdoor Active Recreation Participation Grants Program

 

Assessment, approval and acquittal process

Assessment and approval process

  • DLGSC grants administrators will assess applications for compliance with the eligibility criteria.
  • DLGSC grants assessors will conduct a preliminary assessment of eligible applications against the assessment criteria and provide a summary, which may include scores, rankings, funding allocations and rationale, for the assessment panel to consider.
  • A panel will be formed to conduct an independent review of the assessment process, the preliminary assessment information and ratify recommended applicants to be submitted to the DLGSC Director General for endorsement.
  • The panel will comprise 2 independent DLGSC staff and 1 independent external assessor with outdoor active recreation expertise.
  • The DLGSC Director General to endorse the recommended applicants and submit to the Minister for Sport and Recreation for approval.
  • The Minister for Sport and Recreation to approve the recommended applicants as per the relevant funding source legislation.
  • Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing.
  • Applications may not be successful or may not be funded to the full amount requested.

Assessment criteria

Application will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Strategic alignment

The application demonstrates that the project is aligned to the More People More Active Outdoors Framework.

2. Benefits

The application demonstrates who will participate in and benefit from the project and will achieve at least 1 of the following active recreation participation objectives :

  • Increase participation opportunities for all Western Australians to actively engage in outdoor active recreation.
  • Provide opportunities for people to develop resilience, leadership, problem solving skills and build lifelong involvement and healthy habits through participation in outdoor active recreation.
  • Provide opportunities to support the progression of participants from the ‘Aware’ stage to the ‘Independent’ stage of the ‘Participation spectrum’ for outdoor active recreation (as identified in the More People More Active Outdoors Framework).

3. Organisational capacity and capability

The organisation demonstrates its capacity and capability to deliver the project and manage identified risks.

4. Project plan and budget 

The application is supported by a detailed project plan and outlines how the project will be promoted and evaluated. It is based on a realistic budget and represents value for money.

Each assessment criteria is weighted equally.

Conditions of funding agreements

  • If your organisation has an ABN and is registered for Good and Services Tax (GST), the grant will be grossed up by 10% of the grant amount.
  • If your organisation has an ABN and is not registered for GST, no GST will be paid.

Grant agreement

  • Approved applicants will be required to enter into a grant agreement that outlines the grant conditions, key deliverables, and acquittal requirements. Once signed and returned, the grant will be paid directly to the eligible applicant body.
  • Successful organisations will be required to provide evidence of key deliverables prior to conducting the project including, but not limited to, an appropriate risk assessment process has been undertaken, support for the project has been confirmed by key stakeholders and statutory approvals have been obtained.
  • No grant monies will be paid to an individual.

Acquittal requirements

  • At the completion of the project, your organisation will need to complete an acquittal report to demonstrate that the funding has been spent in accordance with the grant agreement.
  • Your acquittal report must be submitted within 30 days of the project completion date as specified in the grant agreement.

Acknowledgement and evaluation

  • Successful organisations will be required to acknowledge DLGSC. Further details will be provided to successful applicants within their grant agreement.
  • Successful organisations will be required to participate in any research and/or evaluations relating to this funding and/or funded projects.

Further information

Tash Hanham
Senior Project Officer, Recreation (Monday to Wednsday)
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
Telephone 61 8 9492 9983
Email recreation@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
246 Vincent Street, Leederville WA 6007

Emma Draper 
Senior Project Officer, Recreation (Thursday and Friday)
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
Telephone 61 8 9690 2435
Email recreation@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
246 Vincent Street, Leederville WA 6007

Page reviewed 11 September 2024