Provincial Leaders Development Program Guidelines
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Introduction
The Provincial Leaders Development Program (PLDP) is a component of the Government’s commitment to developing leadership skills and capacities for business and community. Funded from the Provincial Victoria Growth Fund, the investment of $2 million highlights the Government’s recognition that effective leadership skills are essential for economic growth in Provincial Victoria.
Project objective
The PLDP provides funding to support local initiatives that recognise and assist business and community leaders who will drive the strategies needed for economic sustainability and community development. The particular focus of the program will be on encouraging younger leaders.
Nature of assistance
The Provincial Leaders Development Program has three streams:
- Regional Leaders Initiatives
- Local Leaders Initiatives
- Fellowships for Young Leaders
Financial Support (on a case-by-case basis) will also be provided to attract specialist presenters to participate in leadership programs.
The Provincial Leaders Development Program will:
- support specific community-based leadership projects that aim to facilitate economic development, build on regional specialisation, encourage cross-regional collaboration and identify emerging regional industries
- assist communities which are experiencing rapid economic change and/or decline
- support activities that promote economic growth and business leadership development through a combination of formal training, informal learning opportunities, mentoring, network creation, and resource and knowledge sharing. Other activities such as leadership expos and workshops may be considered for funding.
- provide one-off funding to eligible Councils to undertake leadership development projects. Projects that enhance leadership skills that in turn will generate new business-community partnerships and provide skills and other tangible benefits to both groups are a priority. This will include initiatives that promote greater participation by individuals in their communities and encourage businesses-community partnerships
- Provide assistance to organisations to deliver leadership outcomes to meet identified needs. Organisations applying for the PLDP will need to demonstrate that a minimum of 85 percent of total project funds are allocated to direct delivery of leadership program activities
1. Regional Leaders Initiatives
The regional leadership stream will apply to eligible projects which operate and draw leadership participants from a broad cross-section of the community and which operate across at least two eligible local government areas. Applicants will need to demonstrate why the project is needed and how the project intends to address those needs. Projects must provide strong evidence of business, community and government partnerships.
- PLDP may provide grants of up to $100,000, (excl. GST), depending upon the number of participants for projects (up to 50 percent of costs). Applicants will generally be limited to a maximum of one grant of $100,000 over a three year period.
- in-kind contributions can make up no more than 50 percent of the applicant’s matching contribution to the project. Inclusion of in-kind elements are to be negotiated with officers from Regional Development Victoria prior to submitting project application
- projects must be financially viable, cost effective and deliver quality outcomes
2. Local Leaders Initiatives
This stream will apply to projects that deliver leadership training to identified communities of interest. It is expected that these projects would attract participants from a broad cross-section of the community. Applicants will need to demonstrate why the initiative is needed and how the project intends to address those needs. Preference will be given to projects which can demonstrate business, community and government partnerships.
- leadership development grants of up to $10,000 for one-off projects will be available for up to 50 percent of costs
- up to 50 percent of the local contribution can consist of in-kind contribution. Inclusion of in-kind elements are to be negotiated with officers from Regional Development Victoria prior to submitting project application
- projects must be financially viable, cost effective and deliver quality outcomes
3. Fellowships for Young Leaders
Fellowships will be available to assist young people from regional areas to build their capacity to undertake leadership roles within their communities. The program will:
- provide funding of up to $5,000 per annum
- contribute towards the costs associated with participating in leadership development programs. Eligible costs will be determined on a case by case basis
- generally be made available to individuals who are between the ages of 15 and 39 years of age
- call for annual applications. Applications must be endorsed by two referees and supported by suitable testimonials from relevant community organisations. Testimonials must attest to the suitability of the applicant, their past/potential contribution to the local/regional community and their ability to successfully undertake their identified activity
- require applications to be considered on their merits and assessed through a competitive process, which will be conducted annually
require applicants to be able to demonstrate a long-term commitment to their community
Successful applicants will generally receive the grant in two instalments with the final payment being subject to providing a written report on the outcome of their fellowship activities
Eligibility Criteria
Initiatives that may be supported are projects that:
- provide training in leadership skills development for participants to expand on roles in community and business leadership
- promote business-community initiatives, encourage resource sharing, identify social enterprise opportunities and demonstrate skill development
- contribute to expos and workshops that inform business and community about opportunities for leadership development
- develop knowledge of, and participation in, regional economic, environmental and business networks
Initiatives that will not generally be supported include:
- accredited training in the workplace
- workplace professional development
- activities which form part of a tertiary qualification
- school-based educational programs
- capital works (eg. building and maintenance costs)
- applications for which a more suitable funding program/source is available
- projects under way or completed involving retrospective funding
- cash prizes and commercial gifts
- commercial organisations
- projects where funding is normally provided from state, commonwealth and/or local government sources
- applications from educational institutions (schools, TAFE, universities, registered training organisations)
To be eligible for funding, applicants must generally be within the municipal districts of the 48 councils listed in this document, as defined in the Regional Development Victoria Act 2002, and the alpine resorts within the meaning of the Alpine Resorts Act 1983.
Selection criteria
Applicants must demonstrate that the leadership development project:
- has a structured program with measurable outcomes
- provides sustainable benefits to the community
- addresses the community and economic leadership needs of provincial populations
- as strong support from business organisations and/or community groups
- is viable and likely to be effective
- involves local people and fosters community partnerships
- has an inclusive selection process which encourages the inclusion of young people, retirees and members of Indigenous and non-English speaking communities
Applications for leadership initiatives may be submitted at any time of the year. Before applying, applicants must discuss their proposed leadership program in the first instance with a departmental representative, through one of the listed RDV offices.
Successful applicants
Successful applicants will:
- receive a letter of offer, together with an agreement detailing the obligations established under the funding program
- be provided with grant monies once funding conditions are agreed to in writing and returned to the Department
- receive funding in negotiated instalments
- be expected to supply progress, outcome and evaluation reports
Contacts and further assistance
Assistance with applications is available from the following Regional Development Victoria contact points.
Rural Community Development Officers
Ararat
Tel: (+61 3) 5352 1367
Bairnsdale
Tel: (+61 3) 5153 2741
Colac
Tel: (+61 3) 5231 6627
Horsham
Tel: (+61 3) 5381 2762
Mildura
Tel: (+61 3) 5051 2000
Seymour
Tel: (+61 3) 5799 0573
Wangaratta
Tel: (+61 3) 5721 6988
Warrnambool
Tel: (+61 3) 5561 4135
Wodonga
Tel: (+61 2) 6056 2166
Victorian Business Centres
Ballarat
Tel: (+61 3) 5320 5900
Bendigo
Tel: (+61 3) 5442 4100
Geelong
Tel: (+61 3) 5223 2104
Mildura
Tel: (+61 3) 5051 2000
Shepparton
Tel: (+61 3) 5821 1811
Traralgon
Tel: (+61 3) 5174 9233
Wangaratta
Tel: (+61 3) 5721 6988
Wodonga
Tel: (+61 2) 6056 2166
Definition of rural and regional Victoria
Rural and regional Victoria is the area within the municipal districts of the 48 councils listed below, as defined in the Regional Development Victoria Act 2002, and the alpine resorts within the meaning of the Alpine Resorts Act 1983. It includes:
Alpine Shire Council
Ararat Rural City Council
Ballarat City
Bass Coast Shire Council
Baw Baw Shire Council
Benalla Rural City
Buloke Shire Council
Campaspe Shire Council
Central Goldfields Shire Council
Colac Shire Council
Corangamite Shire Council
East Gippsland Shire Council
Gannawarra Shire Council
Glenelg Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Greater Bendigo City Council
Greater Geelong City Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Hindmarsh Shire Council
Horsham Rural City Council
Indigo Shire Council
Latrobe City Council
Loddon Shire Council
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Mildura Rural City Council
Mitchell Shire Council
Moira Shire Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Moyne Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire Council
Northern Grampians Shire Council
Pyrenees Shire Council
Borough of Queenscliffe
South Gippsland Shire Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council
Towong Shire Council
Wangaratta Rural City Council
Warrnambool City Council
Wellington Shire Council
West Wimmera Shire Council
Wodonga Rural City Council
Yarriambiack Shire Council
