GBK healthy communities

Building healthy, active, and connected communities across the Torres Strait and NPA

A new approach for healthy communities grants

Healthy Communities grants are changing — and that’s great news for our region.

From 2025, the program will be managed by Gud a Baradharaw Kod (GBK), with funding from the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA). This new approach means:

  • More access for local groups and clubs

  • Support for applications and reporting

  • Targeted funding for every community

  • Support for new and innovative ideas

Healthy Communities is about local people leading local solutions - creating activities that strengthen health, culture, and connection across the islands and NPA.

Download full grant guidelines

About the program

The GBK Healthy Communities Program supports community-led projects that promote healthy living, wellbeing, sport, and cultural strength.

The program helps people come together — to be active, eat well, stay connected, and celebrate what keeps our communities strong.

Our goals

  • Support healthy, active lifestyles

  • Strengthen community leadership and participation

  • Encourage culturally grounded wellbeing initiatives

  • Foster collaboration and partnerships across the region

Types of grants available

General regional grants

Open to all Torres Strait and NPA communities.

Regional grants support larger initiatives that bring people together to stay healthy, active, and connected.

Total pool: $400,000 per year

Allocations: $200,000 for sporting grants, $200,000 for healthy projects and initiatives

DOWNLOAD REGIONAL GRANT GUIDELINES

Targeted community grants

Each community across the Torres Strait and NPA has its own funding allocation, ensuring fair access and local decision-making. These grants support projects based on local priorities like sport, wellbeing, art, gardening, and cultural activities.

Total pool: $480,000 per year

Allocations: $20,000-$40,000 per community

DOWNLOAD COMMUNITY GRANT GUIDELINES

Support for community groups

GBK’s Healthy Communities program offers more than funding. It also provides hands-on support to help local groups plan, apply, and deliver their projects.

We can support groups who need help in many ways, including:

  • Planning ideas and preparing applications

  • Providing easy templates for budgeting and reporting

  • One-on-one mentoring and community visits

  • Finding other funding and sharing your successes