Connected Communities - EOI - Round 1 - 2026/27
Preview 
Download IMPORTANT: Please read information below to assist you in completing your application online.
Allocated Budget for this Round - TBA after Council's adoption of the 2026/27 Budget.
Round 1 - Open Monday, 13 July 2026 - Closing Monday, 3 August 2026
Disclaimer: Funding availability is subject to Council's adoption of the 2026/27 Budget.
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Connected Communities Fund - Stage 1 - Expression of Interest (EOI)
This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. Selected applicants will be invited to deliver a detailed presentation.
The Connected Communities Fund is intended for higher risk, higher cost proposals, which will involve a more detailed application and acquittal process. Applicants will need to demonstrate a high level of competency, capacity, and planning capability to deliver the stated proposal outcomes. The Connected Communities Fund is for new initiatives and projects. Applications must align with one of the themes endorsed by Council each financial year.
For a project or program to be eligible it must:
- Align to ONE of the fund themes
- Meet the key selection criteria for the fund.
- There is no specified maximum amount that can be applied for under the Connected Communities Fund.
- A 30% co-contribution by the applicant towards the event must be demonstrated.
What are the themes?
Council will endorse themes for the Connected Communities Fund each financial year. The following themes have been endorsed for Round 1 of 2026/27:
- Connected & Inclusive Communities
Description: Fund activities that strengthen social connection and belonging, support inclusion, accessibility and participation, build community pride and identity, support volunteerism and community leadership, create safe, welcoming community experiences, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. This includes facility upgrades or improvements where these contribute to inclusion, participation, and community wellbeing.
Example initiatives: Neighbourhood initiatives, inclusion initiatives, youth engagement, seniors’ connection programs, multicultural activities, community-led activation projects, volunteer development, facility upgrades such as ramps, accessible toilets, kitchen improvements, lighting upgrades, roof restoration, air conditioning improvements, and development application fee reimbursement.
- Local Leadership & Community Capacity
Description: Fund activities that strengthen community organisations, build local capability and leadership, improve governance and sustainability of groups, support collaborative partnerships, increase community participation in local issues.
Example initiatives: Committee training, governance capability, community leadership programs, partnership projects, shared resource initiatives, mentoring and skills development.
- Sustainable & Well-Cared-For Places
Description: Fund activities that improve local environmental outcomes, support practical sustainability initiatives, reduce waste, enhance public amenity, encourage stewardship of natural places, improve resilience and preparedness.
Example initiatives: Revegetation, waste reduction initiatives, recycling/reuse projects, clean-up activities, resilience preparedness, habitat restoration.
- Community Trust, Participation & Transparency
Description: Fund activities that improve civic participation, increase understanding of local issues, support respectful dialogue, strengthen community voice, improve access to information and participation.
Example initiatives: Civic participation projects, deliberative engagement pilots, community education initiatives, accessibility and information inclusion projects.
The application process for the Connected Communities Fund will be more intensive, and will include an Expression of Interest (EOI), shortlisting, applicant interview or project presentation, panel assessment and Council endorsement.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Before completing this application form, you should have read the Gladstone Regional Council Connected Communities Stream guidelines and confirmed if you are eligible for to apply for the Connected Communities Fund.
If you have any questions in regards to the guidelines, application or eligibility criteria, please contact Council's Community Partnerships team on 4976 6300 or communityinvestmentprogram@gladstone.qld.gov.au
Incomplete applications and/or applications received after the closing date of the funding round will not be considered.
If you need more help using this form, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
NAVIGATING (MOVING THROUGH) THE APPLICATION FORM
On every page of the form you will find a Navigation contents box, this links directly to every page of the application. Click the link to jump directly to the page you want.
You can also click 'next page' or 'previous page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the application.
SAVING YOUR DRAFT APPLICATION
If you need to leave a partially completed application, press 'save and close' and log out. When you log back in, click on the 'My Submissions' link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any applications you have started or submitted. You can reopen your draft application and start where you left off.
You can also download any application, whether draft or complete, as a PDF. Click on the 'Download PDF' button located at the bottom of the last page of the application.
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
You will find a Review and Submit button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it.
Once you have reviewed your application you can submit it by clicking on 'Submit' at the top or bottom of the screen or on the navigation panel. You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed and there are no validation errors.
Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.
When you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application attached. This will be sent to the email you used to register.
If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email then you should presume that your submission has NOT been submitted.
Hint: also check the email hasn’t landed in your spam or junk email folder.
ATTACHMENTS AND SUPPORT DOCUMENTS
You may need to upload/submit attachments to support your application. This is very simple, but requires you to have the documents saved on your computer, or on a storage device.
You need to allow enough time for each file to upload before trying to attach another file. Files can be up to 25MB each; however, we do recommend trying to keep files to a maximum of 5MB – the larger the file, the longer the upload time.
COMPLETING AN APPLICATION IN A GROUP/TEAM
A number of people can work on an application using the same log in details as long as only one person is working at a time. Ensure you save as you go.
SPELL CHECK
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