Busselton opens Sugito Sister City funding program

The City of Busselton has announced the launch of its first grant funding program, specifically focused on activities which foster and celebrate the City’s sister city relationship with the Town of Sugito in Japan.

The Busselton-Sugito sister city relationship has been in place since 1996, and the City said multiple members of the local community had benefitted from the opportunity to undertake exchanges and learn about Japanese language and culture over almost three decades of connection.

“We recognise and value the ongoing relationship we have with our Sister City, the Town of Sugito and while the City is no longer running exchange programs, we are keen to support and strengthen community links through the announcement of a grant program enabling direct funding to specific activities and programs,” Mayor Phill Cronin said.

“As the 30 year anniversary draws near, the City is opening up a grant funding pool of $6,000 to enable community groups to engage in activities which nurture and grow sustainable connections between the City of Busselton and the Town of Sugito during the 2025-2026 financial year.”

Applicants seeking funding must meet one or both of the following criteria:

1. Delivery of activities which create, foster, celebrate and/or improve upon the social, cultural, artistic and/or sport and recreational links connecting communities in the City of Busselton and the Town of Sugito.

2. Delivery of activities which increase reciprocal knowledge and cultural understanding between the communities of the City of Busselton and the Town of Sugito.

Applications are now open and close on 31 March 2025.

Any interested community groups are encouraged to view the City’s website and Information Pack at www.busselton.wa.gov.au/ before applying.