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Dementia Australia has opened applications for a new round of Community Engagement grants, offering funding for up to 12 grassroots projects aimed at creating more dementia-friendly communities across the country.
The grants will provide up to $ 10,000 per project to support local initiatives that help communities become more inclusive, informed and supportive of people living with dementia and those who care for them. Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said this year’ s program places a special emphasis on supporting people living with young onset dementia, as well as younger carers who often face unique challenges.
“ For this year’ s grants we have a special focus on people living with young onset dementia and young carers,” Professor Buchanan said.“ We want to see projects that actively engage them in the communities in which they live.”
There are currently an estimated 29,000 people in Australia living with young onset dementia, a figure expected to rise to around 41,000 by 2054. Professor Buchanan said it is vital that communities take action now to ensure people living with dementia feel included and valued, regardless of age.
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“ It is important we take action to ensure people living with dementia, no matter their age, feel included, respected and embraced by their communities,” she said.
Local community associations, businesses, organisations and groups are encouraged to apply for funding to develop dementia-friendly projects that respond to local needs. Successful applications will demonstrate strong community partnerships, meaningful consultation with people impacted by dementia, and effective use of in-kind contributions and existing resources.
Since its launch in 2018, Dementia Australia’ s Community Engagement Program has supported more than 100 grassroots initiatives nationwide, with total funding exceeding $ 1.16 million.
Past grant recipient, Lisa Hendry from Memory Lane Café said anyone who has an idea to make their community more dementia-friendly should apply.
“ We initially piloted two Memory Lane Café sessions,” Ms Hendry said.
“ The program has since supported more than 300 participants across several towns, providing a rare and essential combination of social engagement, peer support, community connection, education and access to services.”
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She said the initiative has helped reduce isolation and stress while building understanding and confidence within the wider community.
“ For these reasons, I strongly encourage anyone with an idea to make their community more dementiafriendly to apply,” she said.
Priority will be given to projects that directly support people with young onset dementia and younger carers, meaningfully involve people impacted by dementia in project design and delivery, and address the
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needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and regional and remote areas.
Applications close on 16 February 2026. Previously successful recipients of the Community Engagement Program are not eligible to apply for the 2025 – 26 funding round.
For more information or to apply, visit dementia. org. au / get-involved / dementia-friendly-communities / community-engagement-programgrants.
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