Small Grants Program - 2025

Highways and Byways continues the work of the Missionary Sisters of Service (MSS) reaching out in hope and love to people socially and geographically isolated, strengthening community relationships and networks, developing leadership and empowering people to meet the challenges that confront them.

The theme of our 2025 Small Grants Program – ‘Embracing and Valuing Diversity in Nature and Community’ – recognises that we are entering challenging times for many Australians as the growing impacts of climate change continue to cause severe damage to land, homes and communities, especially in rural and regional Australia. Extreme weather events are affecting communities that are already under stress through previous disasters, with rebuilding challenges, the realities of everyday financial stresses, and limited employment opportunities in vulnerable communities.

Community organisations can apply for grants up to $5,000 to:

• Contribute to building strong and resilient communities, especially in areas affected by extreme weather events.
• Build unity and find common grounds of understanding and shared knowledge across an initiative.
• Encourage partnerships amongst individuals, groups and/or organisations.
• Foster engagement, diversity and cultural connections by sharing knowledge and skills in local community-based programs/events.
• Support intergenerational and Indigenous/Non-Indigenous exchanges of knowledge and skills for the sustainable and/or regenerative management of the land.
• Provide opportunities for program participants to develop leadership or other personal and community-building skills