Volunteering Diversity and Inclusion Grant Program

The Volunteering Diversity and Inclusion Grants (VDIG) Program is a pilot initiative implemented by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), under the NSW Volunteering Strategy 2020–2030.

The Program provides time-limited grants for new projects which grow participation in volunteering by diverse community groups in NSW. The NSW Government has committed $500,000 to this pilot initiative under the NSW Volunteering Strategy 2020 – 2030.

The NSW Volunteering Strategy is focused on growing participation, building sector capacity, and enhancing the recognition of the contributions made by volunteers across the State. In this context, the grants program directly aligns with the following focus areas of the Strategy:

• Focus Area 1 – Growth and Support – which aims to grow participation in volunteering and build the capacity of the sector to recruit, train, manage and retain volunteers.
• Focus Area 3 – Value – which aims to enhance the recognition of the contributions made by volunteers and the impact of the volunteering sector in NSW.

The Program targets diverse community groups including those experiencing levels of disadvantage and marginalisation. The Program wants to increase participation in volunteering by the following groups, so that they have the opportunity to connect with others in their community and experience the benefits of volunteering. This includes but is not limited to the following:

• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people, including young people, new arrivals and refugees
• Aboriginal people, including young people
• LGBTQIA+ people, including young people
• People with disability, including young people
• Veterans (retired or medically discharged defence force or first responder emergency services personnel)
• People from low socio-economic backgrounds.

The Program’s objectives are:

1. Improve diverse community groups’ access to and inclusion in volunteering activities
2. Partner with diverse community groups to deliver a cohort-led and cohort-driven volunteering project
3. Provide diverse volunteers with knowledge and skills to strengthen their ability to volunteer in their local community
4. Enhance the capacity of volunteer involving organisations, including managers and coordinators, to support diverse volunteers
5. Recognise the contribution diverse volunteers make to their local community.