Image Credit: Hannah Busing

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) has announced that applications are now open for the Community Safety Investment Grant Program - Stream 2. This program provides funding opportunities for community organisations to deliver initiatives that improve safety and wellbeing across NSW.

Stream 2 focuses on supporting projects that address community safety challenges through innovative, locally driven solutions. These initiatives aim to reduce crime, strengthen community resilience, and create safer environments for everyone.

The fund supports programs that:

• Address the underlying needs and risks contributing to young people’s involvement with the justice system.

• Deliver culturally responsive initiative that build resilience, connection to culture, and improve wellbeing.

• Empower young people and families to make positive changes.

• Help young people re-engage with education, training, or employment.

• Increase community safety through tailored initiative for high-risk youth.

• Engage young people in pro-social activities.

The fund prioritises projects that help achieve Target 11 of Closing the Gap: reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal young people in detention by 30% by 2031. This includes programs that:

• Prevent and respond to youth offending

• Divert young people from court and create positive pathways

• Support reintegration after custody to reduce reoffending.

To be eligible applicants must:

• Be a registered Australian business, not-for-profit, or Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO)

• Have an ABN and Australian bank account

• Hold at least $10 million Public Liability Insurance

• Be able to enter into a funding agreement with the Department of Communities and Justice