Spontaneous Volunteers Support Program

The Spontaneous Volunteers Support Program (SVSP) has been established in response to the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry’s recommendation that the NSW Government create a program to support better coordination of community efforts to save life and property during a disaster. The Program is also informed by the NSW Government Review of Emergency Volunteering (2023).

The SVSP will provide $5 million in funding to projects across NSW to support communities and volunteers to be better prepared, supported, coordinated and mobilised to respond to disaster events.

Program objective

The Program is aimed to support communities and volunteers to be better prepared, supported, coordinated and mobilised to respond to disaster events. Grants awarded under the program can be used for eligible equipment purchases, training programs, community planning and awareness activities.

This program is administered by NSW Reconstruction Authority.

On 15 July 2024, the NSW Reconstruction Authority extended the closing date and time from 12:00pm AEST 19 July 2024 to 12:00pm AEST 30 August 2024.

The Guidelines published on the NSW Grants Finder page and Frequently Asked Questions have been updated to include an Addendum with revised dates for the grant round.

Applicants who have submitted an Application before the extended closing day, may contact the RA request to re-open their Application.  An Application may be re-opened by the RA if the RA is satisfied that the integrity of the process has not been compromised and subject to probity advice.

Applicants must contact the RA to request for an Application to be re-opened: please contact ssvp@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.

Re-opened Applications must be re-submitted by the closing date of 12:00pm AEST 30 August 2024. 

Grant recipients

A total of $3.55 million has been awarded to 39 successful projects across NSW to be delivered by Councils, Non-Government Organisations, and community groups. The list of grant recipients are published on the NSW Grants Finder page. 
 

Eligibility and how to apply

Mandatory Eligibility Criteria are published on the NSW Grants Finder page for the program.

Eligible Applicants are required to submit Applications using the Authority’s SmartyGrants system. The Authority will not accept Applications made via any other means.

To apply, visit the NSW Grants Finder page.

Late Applications

You must make an Application between the published opening and closing dates. Applications and/or supporting documents submitted after the closing date of 12:00pm AEST 30 August 2024 may not be considered eligible.

The Authority reserves the right to accept late applications on a case-by-case basis. A late Application will only be accepted where the RA is satisfied that the integrity of the process has not been compromised and subject to probity advice. 

Frequently asked questions

During the funding round, the Authority will maintain updates to the program’s Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have any questions or would like to receive future correspondence regarding the program, please contact ssvp@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.