Enter your submission for the 2025 Building Healthy Communities Challenge now.
Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is encouraging people who are passionate about improving their community’s health to apply to take part in the 2025 Building Healthy Communities Challenge.
The WNSWLHD Building Healthy Communities Challenge was established this year by the District’s Health Promotion team to help smaller communities take control of improving their overall health, by providing up to $12,000 in funding and intensive support to deliver a community-led health initiative.
WNSWLHD Health Promotion Coordinator Hayley Vaughan said applications are open to any community group in a town or community with less than 5,000 people who has an idea for an initiative which could improve people’s health.
“We encourage communities to apply if they have an idea which could increase physical activity or healthy eating in their community, reduce smoking and vaping rates or establishing infrastructure which promotes healthy living,” Ms Vaughan said.
“Any idea is a good idea, big or small, and they could be as simple as implementing a regular walking group or setting up community gardens to grow healthy food.”
WNSWLHD Health Promotion Officer Kelly Cook said an independent panel will assess applications and select two towns to compete in the friendly competition.
“The two chosen towns will each receive $8,000 in funding assistance and intensive support from the Health Promotion team to establish and implement their initiative, and we will also provide additional resources and assistance with promotion too,” Ms Cook said.
Applications for the Building Healthy Communities Challenge will be open from Monday 2nd September 2024 to Friday 11th October 2024. For more information contact the WNSWLHD Health Promotion Team on WNSWLHD-HealthPromotion@health.nsw.gov.au.