Community Development Fund Guidelines
Part A –Program Guidelines
Remote Jobs and Communities Program – Part A: Community Development Fund
Preface
These guidelines provide the framework for the implementation and administration of the Community Development Fund which is part of the Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP).
The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA or the Department) has a suite of documents (the Program Guideline Suite) which provide information relating to the program. They provide the key starting point for parties considering whether to participate in the program and form the basis for the business relationship between FaHCSIA and the funding recipient.
They are:
- Part A: Program Guidelines provides an overview of Program and the Activities relating to the program;
- Part B: Information for Applicants which provides information on the Application, Assessment, Eligibility, Selection and Complaints processes; Financial and Funding Agreement arrangements;
- Part C: Application Information provides specific information on the Activity, Selection Criteria, Performance Management and Reporting. This part should be read in conjunction with the Standard Terms and Conditions; and
- The Application Form which is completed by applicants applying for funding during a selection process.
FaHCSIA reserves the right to amend these documents from time to time by whatever means it may determine in its absolute discretion and will provide reasonable notice of these amendments.
Contents
Preface
Information about the Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP)
1.Program Overview
2.Responsibilities and accountabilities under the program
2.1Service provider responsibilities and accountabilities
2.1Role of the Minister
3.Risk management strategy
3.1.Financial Reporting
3.2.Evaluation
3.3.Funding Agreement Arrangements
3.4.FaHCSIA state & territory networks and technical consultants
4.Program Performance Framework and Reporting
4.1.Performance management and evaluation
4.2.Performance framework and reporting
Information about the components and activities
5.Program Activities
5.1.Community Development Fund
Information about the Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP)
1.Program Overview
The Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP) is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to the Closing the Gap strategy agreed in 2008 by the Council of Australian Governments, and is consistent with the Indigenous Economic Development Strategy 2011-18.
The new program will build on the strengths of existing employment and participation and community programs, while providing a more flexible and responsive service to better meet the needs of people living in remote Australia. The four main programs currently delivering employment and participation services and community development in remote Australia by - Job Services Australia (JSA), Disability Employment Services (DES), the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) and the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program – will be rolled into the new integrated service. It will provide a single point of contact for job seekers and employers in every RJCP remote region, and will have a greater focus on adapting activities to local requirements and opportunities.
One of the components of the RJCP is the Community Development Fund (CDF) which provides funding to support social and economic development and participation across the remote regions by funding services and/or activities that provide benefit to Indigenous people and support the creation of jobs and employment related participation opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous job seekers participating in RJCP.
These Guidelines are for the CDF.
While the RJCP is managed jointly by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), the CDF is managed by FaHCSIA.
2.Responsibilities and accountabilities under the program
2.1Service provider responsibilities and accountabilities
Service providers are responsible and accountable for:
- providing quality services which are effective, efficient, and appropriately targeted;
- ensuring Indigenous Australians have equal and equitable access to services;
- working collaboratively to deliver the Program;
- contributing to the overall development and improvement of the Program such as sharing best practice;
- complying with all relevant legislation;
- meeting the obligations and accountabilities as stated in the Funding Agreement between the Australian Government and the service provider; and
- conducting the service consistent with any Code of Conduct that may apply within the Program.
2.1Role of the Minister
The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is the decision maker for the CDF.
3.Risk management strategy
FaHCSIA will work to mitigate program risks through the following:
3.1.Financial Reporting
The CDF will be managed to ensure the efficient and effective use of public monies. This will be consistent with best value in social services principles, the Funding Agreement will aim to maintain viable services and act to prevent fraud upon the Commonwealth. Funding must only be used for the purposes for which it was provided.
3.2.Evaluation
The appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the CDF will be assessed as part of an overarching evaluation of the CDF.
FaHCSIA will give reasonable notice to relevant stakeholders of any evaluation or review that may take place.
3.3.Funding Agreement Arrangements
FaHCSIA will ensure milestones in the Funding Agreement adequately reflect the quality of service provision required and detail the standards required.
3.4.FaHCSIA state & territory networks and technical consultants
FaHCSIA will use its state and territory networks and technical consultants to monitor the implementation of the CDF including the quality and effectiveness of service delivery.
4.Program Performance Framework and Reporting
4.1.Performance management and evaluation
FaHCSIA has a number of accountability policies and requirements designed to ensure that Australian Government funding is administered efficiently, effectively and ethically. Accountability requirements are outlined in the Funding Agreement, and include regular performance and financial reporting.
The CDF, and/or its service delivery strategies, will be evaluated or reviewed periodically (refer to Item 3.2 above).
The performance of the Funded Service Provider(s) will be managed and monitored on an ongoing basis through financial and performance progress reports as detailed in the Funding Agreement. Performance and reporting requirements may be changed subsequent to negotiation and agreement between FaHCSIA and the funding recipient, and will be actioned through a variation to the Funding Agreement.
4.2.Performance framework and reporting
Performance indicators and milestones will be agreed between FaHCSIA and the Funded Service Provider(s) based on the information provided in the Application, the Program’s intended outcomes, and the specific needs of the community/ies, and the overarching Program performance indicators.
The Funded Service Provider(s) will be required to provide regular updates against milestones as specified in the Funding Agreement. Performance indicators will be reviewed annually and may be updated to meet changed business requirements for a new financial year.
Information about the components and activities
5.Program Activities
5.1.Community Development Fund
The CDF will provide funding over five years to support social and economic participation.
Funds provided under the CDF will directly target:
- Activities or services that benefit Indigenous persons and/or Indigenous communities within the remote regions;
- Activities or services that will generate employment for jobseekers in the remote regions; and
- Activities or services in which jobseekers participate to improve their employment prospects and help them to develop skills and capabilities needed to gain sustainable employment (Participation Activity/ies).
5.2.Community Action Plan
FaHCSIA is providing small grants to all RJCP Providers to assist in the development of the Community Action Plan/s (CAP).
RJCP Providers must ensure each of their remote regions has a CAP that is inclusive of all communities within the region. RJCP Providers are required to work with communities and other community and government stakeholders to develop the CAP.
FaHCSIA will provide a total payment of $20,000 to each RJCP Providers to assist with the development of CAPs development, with $10,000 paid as soon as possible of the start of the RJCP Funding Agreement and the balancing $10,000 paid upon Ministerial approval of the CAP. The total $1.18 million for CAP development in the 2013/14 financial year has been appropriated from the Community Development Fund.
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