Community Capital Works Fund

Providing funding to culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities in Western Australia to carry out capital works projects to improve their existing facilities and enhance services to the community. 

 

​​​​​​​​​​The Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) is offering a new one-off competitive funding opportunity of up to $250,000 to support capital works at facilities owned or managed by CaLD community associations or CaLD community service organisations based in WA.  

The Community Capital Works Fund supports individual projects that involve maintenance, refurbishment, upgrades, or extensions of existing facilities that are used for community purposes such as cultural events, or linguistic, social and welfare activities. 

Timeframes for the application and approval process need to be considered by the organisation. The process takes approximately three months from submission to approval. It is intended that applicants will be advised of outcomes by January 2021. 

As part of the application process, applicants should seek advice from an OMI Community Engagement Officer to confirm their eligibility and to discuss their capital works plans before commencing the application. 

Phone: 61 8 6552 1717

Email: engage@omi.wa.gov.au

Capital works projects must commence prior to 30 June 2021.

Capital works projects at facilities/buildings situated on land owned by CaLD community associations will be prioritised for funding.

Applications

Guidelines and application form are available below: 

Deadline for applications is 4:00pm Monday 23 November 2020.

Amount available

Up to $250,000 per facility/building.

Eligibility

Applicant organisations must: 

  • be either a CaLD community association or a community service organisation specifically established to provide services or advocacy for CaLD communities
  • be a not-for-profit organisation or community association incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015, and be based in WA. 

Facility/building must: 

  • be owned by the applicant organisation
  • be situated on land owned by the applicant organisation or held on a long-term lease by the applicant organisation
  • be used for community purposes such as cultural events, or linguistic, social or welfare activities.

Auspice arrangements are not accepted for applications to the Community Capital Works Fund. 

Definition of culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD)

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) was introduced in 1996 to replace ‘non-English speaking background’ (NESB) and was intended to be a broader, more flexible and inclusive term. It is generally applied to groups and individuals who differ according to religion, language and ethnicity and whose ancestry is other than Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Anglo Saxon or Anglo Celtic.

Definition of a CaLD community association

To be classified as a CaLD community association, the association must demonstrate and provide evidence that they meet the following criteria:

  1. the objectives of the organisation (in the organisation's Constitution or Rules) clearly state that it is specifically established to represent and promote the interests of a community with a shared continent/country of ancestry, ethnicity, culture, language or religion
  2. the Management Committee or Board and staffing profile of the organisation predominantly reflects the CaLD community it represents
  3. the organisation's membership comprises individuals or other groups representative of that CaLD community.

Definition of a CaLD community service organisation

To be classified as a CaLD community service organisation, the organisation must demonstrate and provide evidence that they meet the following criteria:

  1. the objectives of the organisation (in the organisation's Constitution or Rules) clearly state that it is specifically established for and its core business and focus is to either: a) provide support and deliver services and programs to CaLD communities (including asylum seekers and refugees) or b) represent and advocate for the interests of CaLD communities (including asylum seekers and refugees)
  2. the organisation has ongoing operational resourcing and employs paid staff
  3. the Management Committee or Board and staffing profile of the organisation reflects CaLD communities, and it has a commitment to workforce training in cultural competency
  4. the organisation has internal policies and procedures that demonstrate a commitment to multiculturalism and cultural diversity.

An organisation that engages with CaLD communities as an incidental service is not eligible. 

Who is not eligible? 

  • Local, State and Commonwealth Government agencies
  • Unincorporated not-for-profit organisations
  • Commercial or for-profit organisations
  • Educational institutions/agencies including schools, universities, and TAFE colleges
  • Individuals
  • Political organisations.

What applications cannot be supported?

Funding cannot be considered for capital works projects that:

  • have already taken place
  • are planned to commence after 30 June 2021
  • would be more appropriately supported through an alternative funding source
  • are solely for a commercial or non-community benefit
  • improves staff office spaces of CaLD community service organisations
  • take place outside of WA
  • are at facilities/buildings primarily used as a place of worship or for religious activities
  • do not meet Australian Design Standards.

Applications from organisations with outstanding funding reporting with OMI may not be considered for assessment.

What costs can be supported?

  • Repairs and/or upgrades to existing facilities (e.g. roof repairs, kitchen renovation, lighting upgrades)
  • Improvements and/or accessibility enhancements to existing facilities (e.g. accessible bathrooms, entry/exit ramps, handrailing, accessible parking)
  • Building extensions to existing facilities
  • Safety and security improvements that requires installation by a local business/tradesperson (e.g. fixed security cameras)
  • Purchase or refurbishment of fixed equipment that requires installation by a local business/tradesperson (e.g. kitchen hardware)
  • Planning and approval costs.

What costs cannot be supported? 

  • Expenses that have already occurred prior to funding approval
  • Purchase of land and/or buildings
  • Existing, ongoing or recurrent organisational costs (e.g. salaries, fees, loan repayments, and lease or rental payments)
  • Recurring maintenance or operational costs (e.g. refuse collection, emergency service levy (ESL), rates, utilities and building insurance or other insurance)
  • Purchase of non-fixed or portable equipment (e.g. furniture, whitegoods, electronic goods, and vehicles)
  • Feasibility plans
  • Interstate or overseas travel (inbound or outbound, including airfares) and related accommodation costs
  • The cost of prizes or gifts.

Australian Standards and National Construction Code

All projects must comply with the Australian Standards and National Construction Code relevant to their project. Universal access is mandatory.

Applicants must ensure they consult with their local government authority for relevant requirements.

Page reviewed 20 October 2020