About this Grant
The Next Economy Jobs Challenge is catalytic grant round offering a total of $800,000 through a collaboration between Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Paul Ramsay Foundation.
Grants will support eligible charities and their partners to test and develop new models, enterprises and programs that encourage 'next economy' transitions to employment for individuals and communities experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
Complex interconnected challenges such as the COVID-19 Pandemic, the climate crisis and growing economic inequality are reshaping Australia’s economy. Australia is facing a critical shortage in skilled workers for both existing and emerging industries as the urgent transition to net-zero carbon emissions gathers pace.
With a focus on addressing disadvantage through quality transitions to employment, the Next Economy Jobs Challenge 2023 seeks to catalyse innovative job creation in these sectors:
- Care economy (health, disability, child & aged care)
- Clean energy and community energy
- Construction / retrofitting of sustainable, affordable, quality housing
- Regenerative food / urban agriculture systems
- Digital economy
- Waste / circular economy
Social enterprise support
Work integrated Social Enterprises have been found to produce higher and better employment outcomes than mainstream employment services for people experiencing significant disadvantage and can contribute to a more equitable, sustainable economy that is embedded in both ‘the social’ and ‘the environmental’. This challenge is not limited to eligible Social Enterprises. It will seek to support innovative and new enterprises, programs, eligible charitable
organisations and collaborative initiatives working within clean and growing sectors.
Grant types
Grants will focus on building the capacity of organisations and enterprises to generate employment outcomes, build sustainability, and/or scale for social procurement opportunities and greater impact.
Feasibility or seed grants up to $50,000
Feasibility grants are for eligible early-stage projects wanting to further understand growth potential. Seed Grants are for piloting or prototyping employment focussed enterprise or projects.
Scaling grants up to $100,000
Scaling grants are for enterprises or projects that are ready for next phase of development and aiming to create significant training and employment pathways.
Eligibility
The Next Economy Jobs Challenge is open to eligible organisations that:
- are endorsed as a Tax Concession Charity (TCC).
- are operating in Victoria (may also operate in New South Wales or ACT).
How to apply
Please read the 2023 Next Economy Jobs Challenge Guidelines before submitting an enquiry
