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Broker Log InAnsvar Launches Annual 2015 CEP Grants Program
Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the care, community, education, faith and heritage sectors, today announced applications are now open for their annual Community Education Program (CEP).
Ansvar’s CEP program provides a range of grants to organisations supporting Australian youth through programs that fall under two categories – Empowerment and Education, and Outreach and Support. Since the grants were first awarded in 1994, Ansvar has contributed over $10 million to education and life skills programs reaching thousands of young people.
“Government funding continues to get tighter year on year, and this greatly impacts the valuable work being done by community and not-for-profit organisations. More than ever, these organisations rely on the support of business and the community to help fund their efforts, and we are delighted to be able to contribute in some way.” said Warren Hutcheon, CEO Ansvar.
“This year we’re asking an even greater range of organisations to apply for a CEP grant, to allow us to select from as many worthwhile recipients as possible.” said Warren.
In 2014, organisations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia, The Shepherd Centre, 20th Man Fund Vision Australian, 3rd Space Mob, Youth Focus, Muscular Dystrophy NSW and Motivational Media were all awarded grants for their community programs.
Jim Markovski, Operations Manager, Youth Services for 20th Man Fund, confirmed the Ansvar CEP grants had delivered a very positive impact on the 20th Man program this year.
“Our leadership program embraces young people who come from diverse and disadvantaged back grounds. We’re helping them to build up their hopes and resilience, to inspire them to be whatever they want to be. The funding we received from Ansvar supports a twelve month youth program we are currently running which is designed to assist younger members to develop more effective lifestyle and leadership skills.
It is helping to change the lives of 32 young people, and consists of workshops, guest speakers, five day survival wilderness camps, and a variety of outings. They also run their own graduation ceremony sharing their achievements with their peers, families and sponsors,” said Jim.
Vision Australia was another recipient from the last round of CEP grants. Deb Renshaw-Jones, National Submissions Manager, said the grants have a life-changing impact on students who are visually impaired and who, without the help of Vision Australia, would have difficulty accessing their degree’s written material and coursework.
“The 2014 Ansvar CEP Grants made it possible for Vision Australia to support six individuals who are blind or have low vision with a Further Education Bursary of specialised adaptive technology, specific to their needs and level of vision. These Bursaries help to ensure that these students can fully participate and succeed in their chosen studies,” said Deb.
When Ben Dierikx was studying for a Doctorate of Anthropology at ANU, the Vision Australia Further Education Bursary provided him with a convertible netbook to slate computer, a Pearl high speed scanner with Openbook OCR software, a DAISY player and an iPad.
“The equipment I have received from the Vision Australia Bursary has revolutionised my previous inability to access written material, essential to my study. Without it I would have been as good as illiterate trying to write a doctoral thesis. You can imagine the difference it’s made,” said a delighted Ben Dierikx.
Applications for the Ansvar CEP Grants are now open and will close at 5.00pm on Friday 5 September 2014. All applicants will be contacted in December 2014, with successful applicants receiving grants in January 2015. To apply for one of the Community Education Program grants or to find out more, visit /about-us/community-investment/
About the Community Education Program grant categories:
- Empowerment and Education: Programs which provide opportunities to develop positive values that lead to healthy lifestyle choices and a positive contribution to our community.
- Outreach and Support Programs: Programs that support at risk youths who are at risk or are already experiencing difficulties (such as drug and/or alcohol abuse) through rehabilitation and/or skills training.