New grants program supports early childhood services to bring children’s rights to life 

Children’s Rights Queensland has launched a new grants program to support Early Childhood Education and Care services across Queensland to promote awareness of children’s rights. 

The inaugural ECEC Children’s Rights Grants Program will provide grants of up to $500  to support projects, events and activities that help children, families and educators  explore children’s rights in age-appropriate, practical and engaging ways. 

Children’s rights are the fundamental rights of every child, as set out in the United  Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. They recognise that every child has the  right to be safe, supported, included and heard. 

Children’s Rights Queensland President, Dan Marais, said the grants program was  designed to help early childhood educators bring these concepts into everyday learning  environments. 

“Early childhood settings play an important role in helping children understand  themselves, their relationships and their place in the world,” Mr Marais said. 

“These grants are about supporting educators to create meaningful, age-appropriate  opportunities for children to learn about their rights, including the right to be safe, the  right to be heard and the right to be included.” 

Eligible activities may include projects, events or initiatives that promote awareness of  children’s rights and engage children and families in conversations about what those  rights mean in everyday life. 

The program also aligns with broader efforts in Queensland to strengthen safe and  inclusive environments for children, including through frameworks such as the Child  Safe Standards developed by the Queensland Family and Child Commission. 

Applications close 14 June, 2026.

ECEC services can find out more and apply here.