The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring volunteers who are critical to the delivery of essential and community services can emerge stronger from the pandemic.

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Anthony Carbines today opened applications for the $1 million Emerging Stronger grants program so that volunteers can build stronger, more resilient and inclusive communities.

The program is a key component of the Victorian Volunteering Strategy launched in May, which encourages people to give volunteering a go, or get back into it, after a significant decline in volunteering when the global pandemic hit in 2020.

The Victorian Volunteering Strategy is the Government’s five-year action plan to promote, build, support and celebrate all forms of volunteering.

Applications for grants of up to $80,000 are open for projects to re-engage volunteers, broaden the volunteer base, and strengthen volunteering in local communities.

To be eligible applicants must have an established partnership or network that enables activities to start immediately.

For more information and grant applications, please visit volunteer.vic.gov.au/grants.

Applications close at 9am Monday 18 July 2022. Successful applicants will be announced in August.