Photo: World Vision International

Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos today opened applications for two new funding programs as part of a $270,000 funding round which provides both training and mentoring opportunities, as well as specific skills development in new technologies.

A total of $120,000 is available for non-recurrent grants of between $15,000 and $90,000 for projects to enhance the digital literacy, and readiness to use new technologies, of small and medium sized volunteer organisations, that:

• Improve awareness and understanding of new and emerging technology platforms
• Increase the capacity of volunteer organisations to select and implement these technologies
• Champion the use of technology to better reach and engage diverse communities in Victoria.

This non-recurrent funding is delivered through "Volunteering Digital Literacy and Technology Readiness" program.

A total of $150,000 is also available through the "Training and Mentoring Program for Managers and Volunteers" 2018-19 funding round, which aims to fund projects to improve access to professional development opportunities for managers of volunteers.

Volunteer support organisations have been invited to submit proposals for locally-based training and mentoring programs to increase awareness and capability in best-practice management approaches.

Submissions for both funding streams close at 2pm on Thursday, 11 October, 2018.

It’s all part of the Labor Government’s $500,000 investment over two years in the 2018-19 Victorian Budget to enhance the capacity of Victoria’s volunteering sector.

Investing in the ongoing development of a skilled volunteer workforce is a key priority of the Ministerial Council for Volunteers, a strategic body focused on building a resilient and sustainable volunteer sector in Victoria.

There are more than 1.5 million volunteers across Victoria, with the state’s volunteer sector estimated to be worth up to $42 billion by 2021. For more information, visit volunteer.vic.gov.au/projects-events.