Support to share and strengthen skills for recovery

The City of Sydney is offering funding for businesses seeking to bolster the city’s economic, social, environmental and cultural sectors and support the local area’s Covid-19 recovery.

The knowledge exchange sponsorship program provides grants of up to $40,000 to for-profit and not-for-profit organisations to share knowledge, expertise and resources.

Successful applicants must operate within the local area or have programs targeted within the area.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the program would ensure vital industry knowledge was more easily accessible to help businesses and community organisations in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Now more than ever our local businesses and community organisations need access to support and services that will help them grow and thrive, which is why we’ve developed this targeted sponsorship program,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Up to $40,000 in knowledge exchange funding is available to successful applicants to encourage sharing in knowledge, expertise, resources and skills which will in turn support the recovery of Sydney’s economic, social and cultural sectors.”

Managing Director of Sydney-based hospitality and live events software startup, Onto It Media, Chris Johnson was successfully awarded sponsorship in January with the intention of using the grant to boost live music in the city.

“The knowledge exchange sponsorship means more than just money to Onto It Media,” he said.

“It has become crucial to the success of our new venue online services platform by inspiring bars, pubs, clubs and hotels to adopt to boost their business and live music, share their experiences with us and the City, and help us become a world-class digital platform, right here in Sydney."

Alana Mann from Sydney University Food Lab previously received a $40,000 grant to provide individuals the knowledge and support needed to embark on a career in food.

“The three-year knowledge exchange scholarship is essential to the operation of FoodLab Sydney, an 'early start' food business incubator for local residents,” Ms Mann said.

An Australian Research Council linkage project, FoodLab Sydney is a collaboration between City of Sydney, TAFE NSW and University of Sydney. FoodLab Sydney provides individuals with the knowledge, training and support they need to embark on a career in food.

Applications close 21 September 2020. To apply, contact the grants team on 02 9265 9333

For media inquiries or images, contact James Gorman. Phone 0448 005 718 or email [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Julia Lenton. Phone 0410 748 039 or email [email protected]