Grants now available for 50th national NAIDOC week celebrations

By PETER ROWE

The Federal Government has announced up to $3 million to support local communities and organisations across Australia to celebrate National NAIDOC Week in July.

This year’s National NAIDOC Week, from July 5-13, marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations, and the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.

“National NAIDOC Week continues to be Australia’s largest celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and this year we celebrate a milestone 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture and resilience, through a week of activities,” Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said.

“The National NAIDOC Committee’s selection of this year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, highlights the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“I encourage First Nations communities and organisations to apply for a grant to support their NAIDOC Week celebrations this year.”

National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair, Aunty (Professor) Lynette Riley said that over the decades, NAIDOC Week had grown into a powerful national celebration.

“Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the groundwork laid by our forebears, each NAIDOC Week reinforces our vision for an Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way,” she said.

And co-chair Steven Satour said the week gave an opportunity tolook forward and honour our next generations who will carry the torch.

“Together, we walk forward, honoring where we’ve come from and looking boldly to the next generation who will carry NAIDOC and their communities into the future,” he said.

Applications for the 2025 NAIDOC Local Grants are now open, with funding available across three streams: educational institutions ($1,250 – $2,000), small scale grants (up to $10,000), and large scale grants ($10,001 – $25,000).

The Local Grants enable communities to hold activities and events that recognise the histories, cultures, achievements and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

First Nations communities, registered businesses, schools and local governments are encouraged to apply for funding to run NAIDOC Week activities or events.

These grants are intended to provide support towards grassroots and community-led initiatives.

Applications can be submitted through GrantConnect. Applications close at 3pm AEDT on Thursday 20 February 2025.

For more information on NAIDOC Week visit www.naidoc.org.au