The South Australian Government has issued a new grants program designed to build the capacity of South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), to deliver important services to Aboriginal people and communities across SA.

Together with the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON), ACCOs can apply for funding designed to support organisations in delivering programs to target closing the gap priority reforms and targets.

ACCOs will be able to apply for grants of up to $150,000 across five funding rounds in 2023-24, totalling $2.7 million.

South Australian Attorney General Kyam Maher said the program supports Indigenous organisations to deliver programs that achieve 'meaningful change'.

"Partnerships with Aboriginal organisations, leaders and communities are key in achieving meaningful change in the lives of Aboriginal South Australians," Mr Maher said.

"It is well recognised that organisations owned and led by Aboriginal people provide the most effective delivery of services in a culturally safe environment.

"This funding will help build the capacity of South Australia's Aboriginal community-controlled sector so that together we can achieve Closing the Gap priority reforms and targets.

"I encourage eligible ACCOs to take advantage of this funding opportunity and continue their important role in closing the gap."

One of the four key priority reforms of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap is building the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.

SAACCON lead convenor Scott Wilson encouraged all South Australian ACCOs to consider submitting a grant application.

"It's the first time that grants such as this have been offered in helping to build the Aboriginal Community-Controlled sector," said Mr Wilson.

"I encourage all ACCOs to apply for the new grants as part of Closing the Gap initiatives and in particular those services who are providing support to clients in achieving changes around the Closing the Gap priorities."

Applications for the first round will be open for six weeks, from 11 April to 18 May 2023.

The first round is aimed at Closing the Gap projects in Adelaide's western suburbs with priority given to ACCOs that operate in the local government areas of Port Adelaide Enfield, Charles Sturt and West Torrens.

ACCOs can apply for multiple grants in each round, with a cap of $200,000 in maximum funding per ACCO, per round.

More information about the grants program can be found here.