These grants provide funding to help connect women in small business with the right resources and support.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $500,000
- Application opened: 15 May 2024
- Application closed: 27 May 2024, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The Women in Business Networks Grants (WIBN) supports women in small business to successfully access and leverage formal networks for purposes of business growth and access to finance, enabling increased turnover, profit, or employment.
Despite the prevalence of small businesses in NSW, only one-third of these businesses are owned by women. While there is evidence new small businesses in Australia are increasingly women-led, the number of women-led businesses remains significantly lower than male-led businesses.
The WIBN program was established by the NSW Government in 2023, funding industry associations, peak bodies, and Chambers of Commerce to implement bespoke networking programs for women seeking to start and run a successful small business.
$2 million has been allocated over 4 years to deliver the Women in Business Networks (WIBN) program.
It is expected WIBN programs will achieve a range of outcomes tailored to the specific needs and goals of the business owner.
The 2023 to 2024 WIBN grants round focusses on women-led social enterprises and is targeted to women with disability and culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) women.
The grants will provide funding to establish a formal networking program, support and capacity building activities, such as training and mentoring, to assist women to establish and grow social enterprises in NSW.
This program is administered by Premier's Department and Women NSW.
This program is funded by Women NSW.
Eligibility
The WIBN Grants program is open to invited applicants only and is open to NSW industry associations, peak bodies and Chambers of Commerce only.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The WIBN program funds industry associations, peak bodies and Chambers of Commerce to engage participants in bespoke industry-appropriate network development programs, with crucial links to business networks and networks of entrepreneurs with experience, expertise and resources that can help them on their business journey.
They will engage participants in bespoke industry-appropriate network development programs, with crucial links to business networks and networks of entrepreneurs with experience, expertise and resources that can help them on their business journey.
Proposals clearly set out the project model, including key service components and how the outcomes will be achieved. Programs include:
- networking skills development activities
- one-on-one access to network development mentors
- access and support to effectively participate in a range of business networking events
- exposure to business networks within or external to existing identified markets, industries, or locations
- access to experienced entrepreneurs to develop business skills and/or grow their business.
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for The Social Enterprise Council of NSW and ACT (SECNA)
The Women in Social Enterprise project will deliver a networking program, connecting and supporting women in social enterprise, including women with disability and women from culturally and racially marginalised communities. The project will create strong networks through in-person and online networking events, peer mentoring and online webinars and coaching, to assist women to establish and grow social enterprises in NSW.
$500,000 was approved by
Minister for WomenDate approved
June 2024Location of the project
AllLocation of the recipient
SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
1
Applications received
1
Women in Business Networks Grant
Agency funding this grant
Women NSWProgram term
Two yearsWhat was approved
Approved for NSW Farmers' Association
In recognition of the immense contribution of females to the agriculture sector, this project aims to provide regional, rural and remote women with business focused networking and skill development opportunities to further develop their confidence and support systems.
$185,310 was approved by
The Minister for Women.Date approved
June 2023Location of the project
Armidale Regional, Central Coast, Eurobodalla, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Newcastle, Orange, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Tamworth Regional, Upper Hunter, Wagga WaggaLocation of the recipient
Lane CoveAbout the grant
Applications approved
3
Applications received
3
Women in Business Networks Grant
Agency funding this grant
Women NSWProgram term
Up to 24 months commencing no later than 1 June 2023 and concluding no later than 30 June 2025.What was approved
Approved for NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc
A bespoke accelerator for Aboriginal women entrepreneurs and business owners that aims to develop business capacity, confidence and growth through a fit for purpose, culturally considered Business Accelerator Program that enables sustained connection to support, role models, mentors and networks.
$200,000 was approved by
the Minister for Women.Date approved
June 2023Location of the project
Coffs Harbour, Dubbo Regional, Maitland, Metropolitan Sydney, WollongongLocation of the recipient
MaitlandAbout the grant
Applications approved
3
Applications received
3
Women in Business Networks Grant
Agency funding this grant
Women NSWProgram term
Up to 24 months commencing no later than 1 June 2023 and concluding no later than 30 June 2025.What was approved
Approved for Regional Arts NSW
Partnering with Creative Plus Business, Rural Women’s Leadership Cooperative and Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance to support regional women to develop their creative businesses through training, networking, mentoring and problem solving in an eighteen-month program of both online and face-to-face interaction, culminating in a regional creative industries showcase.
$150,000 was approved by
the Minister for Women.Date approved
June 2023Location of the project
Eurobodalla, Lismore, Orange, Tamworth Regional, Wagga WaggaLocation of the recipient
Metropolitan SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
3
Applications received
3
Women in Business Networks Grant
Agency funding this grant
Women NSWProgram term
Up to 24 months commencing no later than 1 June 2023 and concluding no later than 30 June 2025.What your application needs to include
The 2022-23 and 2023-24 WIBN grant rounds were closed, non-competitive and one-off rounds, by invitation only. The grant rounds were open to select NSW industry associations, peak bodies and Chambers of Commerce.
Start the application
Applications for this grant are now closed and were by invitation only.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: The Minister for Women.
The 2022-23 and 2023-24 WIBN grant rounds were closed, non-competitive and one-off rounds, by invitation only.
The grant rounds were open to select NSW industry associations, peak bodies and Chambers of Commerce, to ensure priority cohorts will receive tailored support delivered through industry-appropriate mechanisms.
The application, eligibility, assessment, funding/letter of agreement, and acquittal for the grants is managed using the SmartyGrants management system.
An assessment panel was established, consisting of qualified and experienced representatives, including Women NSW staff and representatives from other government agencies to oversee the assessment process.
The Minister for Women is the final decision maker on the approval of the WIBN Grants.
Successful and unsuccessful applicants were notified in writing of the outcome of the assessment process.
Support and contact
If you have any questions please contact Women NSW:
Email: WNSWGrants@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au