The Great South Coast Regional Partnership is one of the nine regional partnerships which highlighted the links between social connection and community wellbeing to the state government which resulted in the fund.

Chair Lisa Dwyer said the fund would support groups develop accessible, digital content or scale up innovative approaches to community activation and engagement to combat loneliness and isolation.

"Coronavirus has seen an accelerated uptake of digital usage that touches almost every aspect of our lives; from online shopping, schooling and working to the virtual celebrations of first birthdays or lives already lived. But what if you don't have internet access or don't know how to utilise this technology?" she said.

"The Let's Stay Connected Fund has been established to support all Victorians in getting connected and staying connected.

"If you're a community organisation with ideas that can build community-led and community-based digital connections, this is an initiative you cannot miss."

READ MORE:

The Government announced the fund on July 17 to support community connection in response to the challenges presented by physical distancing to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The program will support new and scaled up projects to help address social isolation and loneliness in the community as a result of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Applications for the Let's Stay Connected Fund close on August 31 and applicants are encouraged to apply at djpr.vic.gov.au/lets-stay-connected.

Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.