Parramatta community and schools share in half a million in grants

Five schools and 43 local community groups are set to share in more than $512,700 in funding as part of Council’s community and environmental educational grants programs.

Funding will go towards initiatives that support our diverse community such as migrant and youth activities, educational programs such as water safety education and resources to build better social connections within the Parramatta area.

Grants also included $75,000 for community events in 2024 including the Parramatta Pride Picnic, Let’s Go Greek Festival and Parramatta Mother’s Day Classic. 

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Pierre Esber said the community grants program supported the work of the City’s dedicated community organisations, volunteer groups, sporting clubs and social enterprises.

“This is an investment in the groups who invest so much of their own time and energy in making our community so special,” Cr Esber said.

“Our people are the backbone of our community and we recognise the time and hard work involved to deliver these services.”

Eastwood-based Christian Community Aid NSW (CCA NSW) helps to move people from poverty to possibility and will receive a $17,000 grant going towards a pilot project providing place-based emergency relief services to vulnerable women at the Women’s Health Clinic at Westmead Hospital.

CCA NSW general manager Heather Pinto said the initiative aims to alleviate immediate hardships and improve well-being and will assess the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating such place-based support into the system.

“The project fosters better social connections and knowledge building for culturally diverse women in our community,” she said.

Council also announced $37,750 in environmental educational grants including $9250 each for Parramatta East Public School, Epping Public School and Toongabbie Public School for their kitchen gardens.

Other recipients included Epping After School Care at Epping Public which received funding to address food waste issues by composting and worm farming and Cumberland High School which received funds to plant new gardens which will grow natives and bushfood species.

Learn more about grants on Council’s website.