Innovation, Skills and Business Development
This category focuses on funding projects and programs that focus on building the capability and competitiveness of regional businesses by supporting initiatives that foster innovation, strengthen future skills and enable strategic business growth. This includes business support services, training, planning, shared workspaces, incubators, accelerators and programs aimed at sustainability and digital readiness.
If you would like to know about specific funded projects, please reach out to the Local Buying Foundation Project Officers.
Scone Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Workshop Series
The NSW Local Buying Foundation is excited to announce its sponsorship of the Scone Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2025 Business Workshop Series under the Business and Industry Innovation funding category. This series, consisting of four expert-led workshops, aims...
UniHub Spencer Gulf Professional Development Short Courses
In October, professionals in Port Pirie came together to boost their project management skills, attending a hands-on "Introduction to Project Management" course delivered in partnership with UniHub Spencer Gulf and the University of Adelaide. Participants explored the...
Newman Neighbourhood Centre Business Hub Launch
Last week, the Newman Neighbourhood Centre celebrated the launch of its new Business Hub—a project designed to support local entrepreneurs and small businesses with practical, flexible workspaces. Representatives from C-Res, including Kim Kinsella, Business...
Split Spaces AI Workshop Series
In today's fast-paced business world, staying ahead means embracing new technologies. Sponsored by the Local Buying Foundation, Split Spaces is running a series of 10 workshops showcasing how transformative AI can be for businesses. By funding this series, the Local...
Local Buying Foundation fuels Business Boost Program in Pilbara
The Local Buying Foundation, in partnership with the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHCCI), is excited to introduce the Business Boost program. This initiative is designed to SME's in the Port Hedland and Newman regions, helping to build a sustainable,...
GW3 Showcases Greater Whitsunday at SynBio Beta Conference
Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), representing the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions, recently attended the SynBio Beta conference in the USA with support from the Local Buying Foundation. The event allowed GW3 to take part in the ‘Build Your Biofuture’...
Isaac Tourism Development Officer Funded Role
Brianna Baggow was appointed by Mackay Isaac Tourism (MIT) as the Isaac Tourism Development Officer in January 2024, thanks to the Queensland Local Buying Foundation providing funding for this role as part of the broader Bridging the Boundaries funded positions...
Empowering Future Agricultural Leaders through LEADAg Program
During Week 1 of the LEADAg Youth program a group of enthusiastic young participants kicked off their journey in agricultural leadership through a week of hands-on experiences and expert insights into the industry. The program offered a blend of training and...
Port Augusta Investment and Attraction Strategy
The Local Buying Foundation has approved part-funding for Regional Development Australia (RDA) Far North to develop an updated Investment and Attraction Strategy for the Port Augusta region. This initiative falls under the Industry Promotion and Economic Development...
Tactical Advantage: Business Capability Building Program
The SA Local Buying Foundation has approved funding for a business capability and capacity-building program designed to strengthen the local business landscape across the Upper Spencer Gulf, Far North, and Eyre Peninsula regions of South Australia. The initiative,...
Business Port Augusta Receive Funding for New Marketing & Business Event Manager Role
In the first SA funding round for 2024, which closed in May, The SA Local Buying Foundation Advisory Committee and Trustees have approved funding for Business Port Augusta, under the Micro-business and SME Capacity-building funding category, to support the creation of...
Business Singleton Business Development positions extended
The NSW Local Buying Foundations has approved funding for the continuation of Business Singleton's Connecting Business, Creating Community 2025-2026 project under the Micro Business and SME Capacity Building funding category. This funding will provide continuation of...
Decarbonisation Accelerated Program Leading the Way to a Sustainable Future
The Greater Whitsunday region is embracing a sustainable future through the Decarbonisation Accelerated Project, proudly funded by the Local Buying Foundation (LBF). This initiative, a partnership between Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and the Resources Centre of...
Spend in Singleton Gift Card Program
Business Singleton’s, Spend in Singleton Gift Card program has encouraged local spending and provided a significant boost to the Singleton economy. Launched initially in 2022 with impressive results, the Local Buying Foundation recognised the impact on the local...
The Local Buying Foundation’s partnership with Tactic Driving Local Business Growth in South Australia
The Local Buying Foundation aims to empower, support and connect people though networking and business development opportunities, to build sustainable local business communities. One of the ways that the LBF delivers on this objective is by providing funding for a...
Roxby Downs Career Connect Program
The Local Buying Foundation has approved funding for UniHub Spencer Gulf to partner with Career Co. in delivering the Roxby Downs Career Connect program. This initiative, part of the Workforce Development funding category, aims to address a key gap in local employment...
Care to Lead Leadership Development Program
Thanks to the funding from the Local Buying Foundation, the Care to Lead program is offered at no cost to participants working in early childhood and school-age care services in these regions. This collaborative effort with CLA ensures that educators have access to...
Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Directors Course in Mackay and Moranbah
The Queensland Local Buying Foundation has approved funding for the Resource Industry Network (RIN) to deliver the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Directors Course in Mackay and Moranbah. This project, falling under the Micro Business and SME...
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Acknowledgement of Country
The Local Buying Foundation acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.