Children’s Week is on the way – Grants available, award nominations sought

Children’s Week will be held from 19 – 27 October 2024, offering early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Queensland, and across Australia, the opportunity to celebrate the right of children to enjoy childhood.

An annual celebration of children’s rights, Children’s Week is celebrated across Australia with a diverse range of events and activities organised at National, State and Local levels to celebrate the rights of children to enjoy childhood, and for the wider community to rejoice in their talents, skills, and abilities.

The Children’s Week National Theme for 2024 is based on UNCRC Article 24: Children have the right to a clean and safe environment.

Grant opportunities 

To support services to make the most of Children’s Week, Children’s Rights Queensland is offering grants of up to $500 to non-government groups and organisations, to help them deliver a celebration or project that raises awareness of children’s rights.

ECEC services in Queensland are encouraged to apply, including playgroups, kindergartens, long day care services, family day care services, neighbourhood and women’s centres, youth centres, and other organisations which work with children. 

The grants can be used for new or existing projects and celebrations, as long as they promote community involvement and help to increase awareness of the needs, interests, rights or achievements of children. Events must take place during Queensland Children’s Week, or a week on either side.

“Music and concerts, playgroup celebrations, trivia and games, walks and fun runs, dress-up days, online events — the options are bound by the limits of your imagination!” Children’s Rights Queensland President Dan Marais said. 

Grant applications close Sunday, 25 August 2024. To apply for a grant please see here. 

Children’s Week Awards 

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural awards program, Children’s Rights Queensland will again run the Children’s Week Awards which aim to celebrate and honour the outstanding contributions, initiatives, and advocacy undertaken by young people and organisations to enhance children’s rights and wellbeing. 

There are four award categories in 2024:

1. Young Change Maker Award
2. Principal Commissioner’s Award for Community Engagement
3. Children’s Rights Champion of the Year
4. Children’s Rights Education Award

“By honouring those who are actively engaged in this vital work, we seek to shine a spotlight on their efforts, celebrate their achievements, and inspire others to join the cause,” Mr Marais said. 

“We know there are so many wonderful people out there who could be nominated for an award, and we would love to recognise them!”

Queensland ECEC professionals are able to self nominate, or nominate the work of colleagues. A judging panel will assess each nomination, and determine finalists and winners, with finalists to be notified in late September, with winners to be announced at an event on Tuesday, 22 October 2024 at Victoria Park Golf Course in Brisbane. 

Finalists will be invited to attend the event which will be attended by representatives from Government, non-profit organisations, families and children.

To learn more about the awards please see here. The Children’s Rights Queensland website may be found here.