Regional Assistance Programme (RAP) - Australia

Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) are encouraged to initiate communitybased project proposals for funding under RAP in the following areas:

• Jobs generation;

• Improving the skills base of a region;

• Tackling disadvantage and encouraging growth in a region; and

• Support Infrastructure.

• A clear path to job outcomes; and/or

• An ongoing economic or regional benefit.

• Small business support and development projects such as supply chain networks and business cluster strategies (note: business incubator proposals will be assessed and administered under separate arrangements);

• Projects aimed at diversifying the economic base of a region, through generating new business, industry, investment or tourism activities;

• Projects that support infrastructure development in local communities.

• Regional skills surveys and industry profiles with clearly stated employment generation outcomes;

• Projects that identify skill gaps and ways to improve links between schools, training providers and industry. (These projects must not duplicate programs funded through the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training or State education bodies); and

• Projects specifically addressing the employment needs of and opportunities for disadvantaged groups.

The assessment of projects will be undertaken throughout the year, with assessed projects batched for approval rounds. Flexibility is provided to assess urgent projects out of round.

After endorsement by the relevant ACC, project proposals will be assessed by the relevant office in the DOTARS regional network and recommendations for approval made to DOTARS Central Office. Projects will be approved by the departmental delegate in Canberra Consideration and approval of projects will take into account regional issues, national priorities and other issues including:

• Balance of project funding across regions;

• Spread and mix of projects;

• Available funds and allocations to ACCs within the overall budget; and

• Regional characteristics.

• Project proposals must support the relevant ACC Strategic Regional Plan;

• Proposals must be consistent with current Government policy and, ideally, complement existing programs;

• A preference will be given to project proposals demonstrating a partnership approach involving financial and other support particularly from the private sector but also from State/Territory or local government, the local community or other sources. Industry focussed projects should include partnership contributions from the relevant industry.

• Proposals of $30,000 or more should have significant contributions from other sources;

• Feasibility studies, like all RAP proposals, must demonstrate clear paths to the next stage of development and, longer term, to sustainable job outcomes in the local community. Ideally this should include a commitment to the proposal from the eventual sponsor. (RAP is not intended to fund one-off consultancies for feasibility studies that have no likely chance of implementation or would exclusively depend on further Commonwealth Government funding);

• All RAP proposals must include an evaluation process to ensure that they have met their agreed project outcomes

• While RAP is generally for seed funding for up to 12 months it can be sought for periods of up to 3 years. However proposals for projects of more than 12 months duration should indicate the length of the project and/or the anticipated number of project stages in the original proposal. Appropriate evaluation arrangements should be built in at the end of each stage of the project and future funding will be dependent on satisfactory evaluation;

• RAP will not provide on going project funding, ie funding for same project year after year. Proposals must satisfactorily demonstrate from where future funding will be sourced;

• Project proposals will not be approved in areas where Commonwealth funding through RAP is, or could be perceived as, substituting or duplicating funding from the responsible Commonwealth, State/Territory or local government agency. Consultation with other agencies will be undertaken as part of the assessment process;

• RAP projects must demonstrate value for money;

• RAP projects must not advantage any individual Job Network member or New Apprenticeship Centre or Work for the Dole sponsor; (Projects must provide equal access and/or advantage to all Job Network members and Work for Dole sponsors. Any employment outcomes from projects that are likely to involve Job Network servicing arrangements must clearly identify those arrangements. Proponents are required to acknowledge that no conflict of interest exists);

• Project proponents will usually be not-for-profit organisations. In limited circumstances the ACC itself may be the project proponent;

• RAP funding is not available to cover enterprise/business costs or to support operational, overheads or administrative costs not directly and specifically related to the project;

• Projects must not involve job or training assistance to individuals. General training for individuals cannot be funded under RAP. Work preparation, vocational training and employment assistance are covered under Job Network arrangements. Regional skills surveys, industry profiles and projects that identify skills gaps and ways to improve links between schools, training providers and industry are eligible for funding consideration under RAP;

• Projects must not involve double funding. No double funding should occur under RAP. Proponents must declare any grants or payments for similar activities received from any source including Commonwealth, State and local governments;

• RAP funding is not to substitute for specific purpose funding. RAP is not a general source of funds. Where a Commonwealth, State or local government program exists to meet a specific need, funding should be accessed through that program;

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