Queensland invests almost $600,000 to strengthen community health and wellbeing

Two school aged boys plant seedlings in a plantar box

Health and Wellbeing Queensland has awarded almost $600,000 in funding to support community-led health and wellbeing initiatives across the state through the 2025 Community and Accelerator Grants.

A combined record total of 391 applications were submitted this year—more than double the number received in 2023—highlighting strong grassroots demand for practical, locally driven programs that improve health outcomes.

Funding will enable 31 projects to deliver initiatives focused on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, wellbeing and health equity, with a strong emphasis on communities experiencing the greatest barriers to good health.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive Dr Robyn Littlewood said the program empowered local communities to design and implement solutions that addressed the root causes of chronic disease.

“Each initiative, whether in a small rural town or a busy city suburb, plays a critical role in improving long-term health outcomes,” Dr Littlewood said.

“Through the Grants Program, Health and Wellbeing Queensland is proud to support innovative ideas that strengthen health promotion practice and lead to improved, sustainable and equitable health outcomes for Queenslanders.”

6 primary school children pose with fresh fruit and vegetables

A range of organisations will receive funding through 2 grant streams:

Community Grants: 25 grants, totalling approximately $400,000 to support community-led initiatives that strengthen nutrition, physical activity, wellbeing and health equity across Queensland.

Accelerator Grants: 6 grants, totalling approximately $200,000 to support the 2023 GenQ Community Grant recipients expand proven initiatives to reach more people and create lasting impact.

Examples of funded projects include:

Culturally grounded workshops combining information on bush tucker and affordable food options will strengthen nutrition and healthy cooking skills, cultural connection and wellbeing for Aboriginal families in Mt Isa.

Accessible and inclusive dance and creative movement sessions that foster connection, resilience and wellbeing, and help overcome an underrepresentation of people living with a disability in performance arts, whilst build stronger community connections, and enhanced personal confidence among a diverse group of young people and adults in Brisbane.

Accessible community-based physical activity and wellbeing programs will promote healthier lifestyles across the Burdekin region.

Practical healthy cooking and nutrition sessions will teach essential life skills and healthier habits to support the transition to independence for disadvantaged young people in the Toowoomba region.

The 2025 grants form part of Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s broader Grants Program, launched in 2023, which has now funded a combined total of approximately $1.4 million to support community-driven health and wellbeing initiatives across Queensland.

A full list of grant recipients is available here.