Dementia Australia has today opened applications for a new round of Community Engagement grants for up to 12 dementia-friendly community initiatives.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said community groups could apply for up to $10,000 for project ideas that supported their local community to become dementia-friendly.
"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 will engage them in the communities in which they live.
“There are an estimated 29,000 people in Australia living with young onset dementia. This figure is expected to increase to an estimated 41,000 people by 2054. It is important we take action to ensure people living with dementia, no matter their age, feel included, respected and embraced by their communities.”
Local community associations, businesses, organisations and groups are encouraged to apply to develop dementia-friendly communities projects that reflect the community need, create local partnerships and draw on in-kind contributions and existing resources.
To date, Dementia Australia’s Community Engagement Program has funded more than 100 grassroots projects, bringing the total funding since 2018 to more than $1.16 million.
Past grant recipient, Lisa Hendry from the Southern Yorke Peninsula 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 catered to over 300 participants across several towns providing a rare and essential combination of social engagement, peer support, community connection, education and access to services,” she said.
“It helps to reduce isolation and stress, it empowers communities with increased understanding and we’ve had positive feedback on the effectiveness of the program. It is for this reason I encourage anyone else wanting to make their communities more dementia-friendly to apply.”
Priority will be given to projects:
-
that directly support individuals with young onset dementia and/or younger carers
-
which meaningfully consult and collaborate with people impacted by dementia in the project design and delivery, bring together collaborative local partnerships and meet the needs of diverse communities
-
that work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse, and regional and remote communities.
Applications close on 16 February 2026. Previously successful grant recipients of Dementia Australia’s Community Engagement Program are not eligible for a 2025/26 grant.
For more information and to apply, visit dementia.org.au/get-involved/dementia-friendly-communities/community-engagement-program-grants
-Ends-
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 433,300 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.7 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
Media contacts: Cady Moshos Media and Communications Advisor 0482 188 146 [email protected]
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.
Note to Editors:
We request, where possible, details for the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 appear alongside news stories about dementia, as these stories often prompt questions or concerns:
If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.
