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 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.
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