Better Beginnings will boost literacy in WA thanks to Community Grant opportunities

The State Library of Western Australia is offering $200,000 to Western Australian public libraries and community organisations to support early literacy development in local communities as part of its Better Beginnings Family Literacy initiative.

“The Better Beginnings Family Literacy Program continues to have a positive impact on Western Australian families, and we are excited to offer this community funding that will encourage innovative and community relevant activities, events and programs aimed at the crucial parent-child or carer-child relationship that is essential for the highest impact of early literacy development,” said WA Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman. 

Applications for the Better Beginnings Family Literacy Community Grants are now open with eligible applicants invited to apply for their share of a total funding pool worth $200,000.

“The Better Beginnings Family Literacy Community Grants encourage exciting innovative ideas in areas of new early literacy program development through interactive technology, community book production, sensory and play-based learning events, targeted bilingual or cultural projects,” the Minister explained. 

Supporting parents in their role as their child’s first teacher through programs which encourage parents to read, talk, sing, write and play with their child every day from birth, is a decision the Government made based on research which shows that developing children’s early literacy skills in their preschool years provides a solid foundation for lifelong literacy, which has a significant impact on a range of life outcomes including employment, health, community participation and personal wellbeing.

Better Beginnings Family Literacy Community Grants offer grants between $5,000 and $30,000 for public libraries and community organisations state-wide to deliver new early literacy programs tailored to their communities’ needs, and can be applied for through the Better Beginnings website.

To learn more about Better Beginnings and apply, please see here.  Applications close March 12, 2022.