Case Study: The Great Australian Grant Mirage

Introduction

This case study examines the challenges faced by disability-led projects in Australia when attempting to access publicly promoted disability-related grants, drawing observations from "The Great Australian Grant Mirage" document.

Background

"The Great Australian Grant Mirage" summarizes observations from attempts to access publicly promoted disability-related grants in Australia. The document highlights the difficulties encountered by smaller, participant-led, and lived-experience projects in securing funding, often due to systemic barriers within the application processes.

Case Description

Challenge

The primary challenge identified is the significant barrier to entry for disability-led projects, particularly those without existing funding or large institutional backing, when seeking to access government and other publicly promoted grants. This leads to a disconnect between the stated availability of disability-related grants and the actual ability of grassroots, lived-experience initiatives to secure them.

Key Observations from "The Great Australian Grant Mirage"

• ACNC Registration as a Barrier: Application processes frequently mandated Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) registration, which was often unattainable for projects lacking prior funding to meet this prerequisite. There is no funding to ahceive ACNC registration however we started building an accessible charity-infrastructure-hub. Progress will be slow due to lack of funding options. https://www.strategicadvocacy.com.au/advocacytoolkithub/charity-infrastructure-hub/
  
• Non-functional Application Links: Several application links were either closed or non-functional, creating frustration and wasted effort.
  
• Lack of Direct Support: There was a notable absence of direct contact pathways or dedicated grant support emails for inquiries, hindering applicants' ability to seek clarification or assistance. Where these were present, it often meant weaving through multiple unnecessary pages and complications reducing accesibility.
  

Disadvantage to Small Projects: Specific requirements appeared to disadvantage small, participant-led, or lived-experience projects, favoring larger, more established organizations.

Analysis 

These observations suggest a systemic issue where the structure and requirements of grant programs inadvertently exclude the very initiatives they are ostensibly designed to support. This can lead to:

• Limited Innovation: The difficulty in accessing funds can stifle the development of digital innovations and community-led solutions from lived-experience leaders.
  
• Centralization of Power: The barriers may contribute to the concentration of funding and influence within larger organizations, rather than fostering a diverse ecosystem of community-controlled initiatives.
• Inequity: The current grant landscape appears to create an inequitable playing field, disproportionately affecting individuals with disabilities operating outside established institutional frameworks.

Actions Taken and Recommendations

Based on the issues identified, the following actions have been undertaken and recommendations are being advanced:

• UN Human Rights Submission: These issues have been formally documented and submitted to the United Nations Human Rights.
  
• Australian Human Rights Commission Complaint: A formal complaint is currently being prepared for submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).
  
• Advocacy for Structural Reforms: Recommendations are being advanced for structural reforms to grant application processes.
  
• Equity-Focused Microgrants: There is a push for the creation of equity-focused microgrants specifically designed to remove "gatekeeping" conditions that currently exclude smaller, lived-experience initiatives. 
  
• Policy Submission to Education and Employment – Standing Committee: 5th of February 2025 - Rejected with the suggestion that it be moved to the NDIS committee.

Conclusion

There is an urgent need for a re-evaluation of grant accessibility and design within Australia's disability sector. Addressing these systemic barriers is crucial to ensure that funding genuinely reaches and empowers disability-led projects, fostering true community-controlled initiatives and innovations.