From today, non-government organisations (NGOs) delivering online safety education and services to children, young people and their communities, can apply for competitive grant funding through the new Online Safety Grants program, led by the eSafety Commissioner.
Under the program, funding of $9 million over three years will be provided to eligible NGOs to develop services, resources and products that improve the online safety of Australian children. This may include education initiatives, assistance for parents, community and frontline support groups, or projects tailored for the online safety needs of vulnerable communities.
“As COVID-19 restrictions see more Australians spend time online to work, study and socialise, opportunities to provide education initiatives and innovative projects to boost the online safety of children, the community and our most vulnerable have become essential,” said eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant.
“This is why these grants are so important — the program focuses on how we can strategically support positive online safety outcomes and how we can best prepare Australians for the challenges and changes ahead.”
“Online safety education is a key component of this and is a powerful tool for behavioural change.”
NGOs with expertise and training in online safety education can check their eligibility for the grants program and are encouraged to apply. Applications for the first grant round will open from 12:00pm EST today and close on 21 May 2020, with successful applicants to be announced in early August 2020.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said, “As the COVID-19 situation continues and children spend more time online, it is more important than ever that we are making every effort to protect Australian children from online harms.”
“These grants will put money into the hands of specialist organisations to produce educational and training materials to help keep our kids safe online. I encourage all NGOs with expertise in online safety to come forward and apply.”
For more information about the online safety grants program visit: esafety.gov.au/safety-grants