The 2024-25 round of the Local Government Research and Development Scheme is now open to councils, universities, educational institutions and innovators across South Australia.
The program allocates up to $2 million annually to fund eligible projects which build strategic capacity and inject innovation to help South Australian councils achieve more for their communities.
To be considered, projects must deliver clear long-term outcomes and address future local government needs in the areas of climate and environment, community wellbeing and inclusion, planning and infrastructure, financial sustainability or building sector capability.
Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA) President, Mayor Dean Johnson, said that the funding has supported countless initiatives since it was first made available in 1998, driving continued innovation across councils.
“In the past year, the Local Government Research and Development Scheme has supported projects which have made positive impacts to build stronger local communities,” Mayor Johnson said.
“For example, the Grow Your Own Workforce program is a joint venture between the LGASA, local study hubs, councils and State Government aimed at training and educating more local planners to address skills gaps in regional parts of South Australia.
“Funding is open to councils, state and federal governments, regional development and local government associations, businesses, education institutions and universities, and industry groups and associations.
“If you’re an organisation that’s doing innovative work which can benefit local government and communities in South Australia, I encourage you to apply through this latest round.”
Another project completed in 2024 was the City of Onkaparinga’s Shaping Local Civic Youth Leaders program.
The initiative successfully increased understanding of local government for more than 800 young people aged 12-25 through hosting a leadership summit and developing practical, educational resources about local government.
Onkaparinga Mayor, Moira Were, said that the pilot project has helped empower young people across metropolitan Adelaide to get more involved in their communities and council decision making.
“We wanted to educate young people about the importance of local government and civic education and it was vital to have a team of passionate and driven young people behind the wheel to do this,” Mayor Were said.
“Local Government Research and Development funding was crucial in achieving this goal, allowing us to employ young people to help facilitate the summit, and to film and capture stories for an inspiring ‘Love the Journey’ digital storytelling program.
“Since hosting the project’s inaugural Community Changemakers Summit and developing its digital toolkit, we’ve had young people delivering deputations to their councils, writing to mayors, pledging to vote at the next local government elections, and some considering becoming elected members themselves.
“We’re grateful for the scheme funding and for the collaboration with our project partners, Youth Affairs Council of South Australia and the Local Government Youth Development Network.”
Applications to the 2024-25 Local Government Research and Development Scheme funding round are now open and will close at 4pm on Monday 12 August 2024.
Featured image: Attendees at the Community Changemakers Summit in Adelaide in 2023, brought together by the Local Government Research and Scheme-funded Shaping Civic Youth Leaders Program. Image credit: Local Government Association of South Australia.
