Seniors Festival EOI 2026

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This is a preview of the Seniors Festival 2026 form. When you’re ready to apply, click Fill Out Now to begin.
 

Seniors Festival 2026

Instructions

  • Please provide a response to all relevant questions on the pages;
  • When you have completed all of the questions on a page, click on Next Page to view the next page of the application form;
  • Click Save Progress periodically to ensure you do not lose any information you have entered;
  • You can jump to any page in application form by using Application Form Navigation table on the right side of the form;
  • Once you have completed all of the pages of the form, the last page of the form will provide you with the opportunity to Review your application.  If you are happy with your application you can then click Submit, if you have answered all of the required questions a Confirmation Message will be displayed to acknowledge receipt of your application.
  • Please be aware that submissions are due by midnight Sunday 30 November 2025 (AEDT).

If you have any queries, please phone and leave a message for the Community Wellbeing Team at (02) 9392 5863 or email seniors@innerwest.nsw.gov.au 

  • If you have access requirements that cause difficulty submitting material online and you need assistance, please call 9392 5000. To talk with a free interpreter call 131 450. 
  • 9392 5000. نحن نتكلم لغتك.131 للتحدث مع مترجم مجاني اتصل بالرقم 450اطلب منهم الاتصال بمجلس الغرب الداخلي على الرقم 
  • Μιλάμε τη γλώσσα σας. Για να μιλήσετε δωρεάν σε διερμηνέα καλέστε το 131 450. Ζητήστε τους να καλέσουν το Δήμο Inner West Council στο 9392 5000. 
  • Parliamo la vostra lingua. Per parlare gratuitamente con un interprete chiamate il numero 131 450. Chiedetegli di chiamare il Comune di Inner West al numero 9392 5000. 
  • Falamos a sua língua. Para falar com um intérprete gra tuitamente ligue para 131 450. Peça-lhes para ligar para o Inner West Council no número 9392 5000. 
  • 我們能說您的語言。 如需免費傳譯服務，請致電131 450， 然後請傳譯員致電9392 5000接通 Inner West市政府。  
  • เราพูดภาษาของท่าน คุยกับล่ามได้ฟรีที่เบอร์ 131 450 ขอต่อสาย Inner West Council ที่เบอร์ 9392 5000. 
  • Chúng tôi nói ngôn ngữ của quý vị. Muốn nói chuyện có thông dịch viên miễn phí, hãy gọi số 131 450. Yêu cầu họ gọi cho Hội đồng Thành phố Inner West qua số 9392 5000. 

Seniors Festival 2026

Seniors Festival 2026 – Expression of Interest (EOI) 

“Bringing Life to Age”  

Inner West Council invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from community organisations, community groups, and sole traders to deliver creative, inclusive, and innovative programs for Seniors Festival 2026. 

The NSW Seniors Festival will run statewide from 2–15 March 2026. While Council encourages alignment with these official dates, the EOI is not restricted to them — proposed programs may be scheduled within this period or around it, provided they contribute meaningfully to the overall festival experience. 

At its core, the Festival is a celebration of wellness, connection, and the strength of our older community members. Council is especially committed to ensuring that those who are most often excluded are placed at the centre of the Festival experience. All programs must actively prioritise and engage: 

  • Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities
  • First Nations peoples
  • Older people who are socially isolated or vulnerable
  • Older people with limited mobility or who are home-based

By focusing on these groups, the Festival aims to reduce barriers to participation, create meaningful opportunities for connection, and amplify the voices of older people whose experiences are too often overlooked. 

There is $20,000 in total funding available, and successful applicants can receive a maximum of $5,000 inclusive of GST.

If you have any queries, please phone and leave a message for the Community Wellbeing Team at (02) 9392 5863 or email seniors@innerwest.nsw.gov.au 

We are looking forward to receiving your application.  

GUIDELINES

Eligibility Criteria

Objectives

Projects should:

• Engage and include priority groups (CALD, First Nations, isolated, vulnerable, and home-based older people)

• Reduce isolation and foster genuine social connection

• Encourage lifelong learning and intergenerational knowledge-sharing

• Create opportunities for creative expression and participation

• Be affordable, inclusive, and accessible

• Support Council’s strategies and plans (Healthy Ageing Strategy, Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023–2026, Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and the Community Strategic Plan 2041).

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a sole trader, incorporated not-for-profit, or a community group auspiced by one

• Deliver activities within the Inner West LGA (Djarrawunang, Baludarri, Gulgadya, Midjuburi, Damun wards)

• Submit one application per individual or organisation

• Provide Public Liability Insurance and relevant licences

• Provide WWCC if working with children

Not Eligible

Applications will not be considered if they:

• Do not align with Seniors Festival 2026 objectives

• Deliver activities outside the Inner West LGA

• Cover ongoing admin, staffing or operational costs

• Are submitted by Council staff, Councillors, political parties, or government agencies

• Do not demonstrate a clear benefit to older residents

•One-off events with little or no community impact or legacy

•Programs that are already established and ongoing, rather than new initiatives developed for the Festival

Council’s Community Wellbeing team will be available to support delivery by providing templates and guidance on event planning, accessibility, risk and safety documentation, and local community engagement.

⸻

Examples of Eligible Projects
•Creative workshops (art, music, photography, writing)
•Intergenerational storytelling or arts programs
•Community events fostering connection among older people
•At-home activity packs or virtual workshops for home-based seniors
•Public exhibitions or performances showcasing older people’s creativity
•Digital projects (podcasts, livestreamed concerts, memory maps)

⸻

How to Apply

EOIs must be submitted via SmartyGrants.

There is $20,000 in total funding available, and successful applicants can receive a maximum of $5,000 inclusive of GST.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Smarty Grants will close midnight Sunday 30 November 2026. 

For successful applicants

Agreement

A formal agreement will be sent to successful applicants. Inability to comply with the agreement may result in withdrawal of support. Applicants who do not meet their obligations under the grant agreement may not be eligible to apply for further grant support from Inner West Council. 

Payment and GST 

Payment information will be provided with the letter of offer. Grants will be paid in full upon receipt of a tax invoice (annual maximum of $5,000). Organisations registered for GST should add GST to the grant amount. 

Recognition of assistance 

Successful applicants must acknowledge the Inner West Council for their activity at the activity and in any promotional material in relation to the activity. 

Activity Variations 

If there are significant changes to the funded activity, applicants must contact Council to confirm that the variation is acceptable prior to the activity. This includes but is not limited to, activity start and end dates, venues, fees and charges. 

Ready to Apply?

Ready to apply?

The application will ask for key information about yourself as project lead for your proposal including contact information and organisation/business details as applicable.

You will need to provide key information about the proposed project including proposed location, title, description, target audience and project timeline.  A balanced budget proposal is to be provided and there is an option to upload supporting material.

Please ensure you have all this information ready to input into your proposal. Incomplete and unsubmitted proposals will not be considered.