Horizon Power has awarded funding of over $500,000 to 40 community organisations across regional Western Australia in the first round of its 2021/22 Community Partnerships Program.
The Community Partnership Program was revitalised a year ago to support regional communities in a sustainable way. Assessments are based on community need and the funding ranges from $1,000 to $50,000 per proposal.
“Horizon Power has a strong legacy of community partnerships, and we receive applications from a wide variety of organisations doing great work in regional and remote communities.”
said Ms Stephanie Unwin, Chief Executive Officer.
“There are clear guidelines for the types of initiatives that we support. They include not-for-profit organisations, sporting leagues, arts and cultural festivals, Aboriginal communities, wellness projects and tourism events.”
Successful applicants in this round included DV Assist, Ord Valley Events, Fair Game Australia, and the Clontarf Foundation. Several community festivals are also being supported in the Gascoyne/Midwest, West Kimberley and Goldfields Esperance regions.
Other successful applicants included the Nyunnga-Ku Women's Group for a women’s wellbeing hub in Leonora and the Menzies Aboriginal Corporation for a Menzies Community Day.
The Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Broome, Port Hedland and Karratha are also receiving funding to support their work with small and medium businesses.
In 2020/21, Horizon Power awarded a total of $1.1 million in funding to 116 applicants across regional Western Australia, up from $266,000 in 2019/20.
“We’re a regional business with almost 35% of our people living and working in the regions. Horizon Power is committed to working alongside these communities to make a positive contribution.” Ms Unwin said.
Applications for the second round of the 2021/22 Community Partnerships Program will open in February 2022.