Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has welcomed details of a new funding programme, offering not-for-profits up to $20,000 for worthy local projects.

 Mr Taylor said as announced in the Budget, the Coalition Government’s new Stronger Communities Programme would provide $45 million over two years to fund small capital projects in local communities.

“Hume will receive funding of $150,000 per year over two years, to support projects that deliver significant social benefits. Between $1,000 and $20,000 will be made available to reputable, not-for-profit organisations,” he said.

Mr Taylor said he would be consulting widely to identify high-priority projects in Hume.

“I am often asked about grants for sporting clubs and community groups and I can think of many community organisations that could realise some big ideas with up to $20,000 in funding.

“There are many terrific local community groups who until now may not have necessarily qualified for larger scale Federal funding programmes. This is about identifying simple, yet significant local projects which will be of benefit to the greater community.

“While details about applications are not yet available, I’m encouraging local groups to start thinking about capital projects they could put forward under the Stronger Communities Programme.”

Mr Taylor said guidelines would be available shortly on the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/