Partnership payments for the redefining mentoring project

About the opportunity

Two Way Street and AGOSCI are supporting individuals, community groups or small teams to create resources that reflect what mentoring looks like in unique communication scenarios. They are offering partnership payments of up to $3,000.

This is part of phase two of our redefining mentoring project. This project received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

The goal of the project is to build a co-designed mentoring toolkit that supports inclusive mentoring practices — what we’re calling mentoring 2.0. We don’t know what the toolkit will look like yet, so we need your input!

Applications are currently closed.

The first round of applications have now closed. A new round of partnership payments will be released in mid-2026.

Partnership payment amount: up to $3000

Goals of the partnership payments and what we're looking for

Our powerful new definition of mentoring

“Mentoring is a flexible and inclusive relationship where both mentor and mentee learn and grow. It can happen in all kinds of ways and both mentor and mentee may not even be aware that it’s happening at times. Communication is adapted to fit the person, not the other way around.”

 

Your project should bring this definition to life and reflect real-world communication and connection. We are looking for projects that share perspectives or experiences or that build or enhance community within the context of people with communication disability (PWCD). Your project could be a resource or can be developed into a resource, guideline or perspective that will be trialed as part of the mentoring toolkit.

Projects might include:

    • Short videos or podcasts, creative storytelling or artwork.

    • Porch, kitchen table or town hall meetings.

    • Visual tools, resources, guidelines or templates.

    • Community-led examples of mentoring 2.0 in action where individuals document their perspective on how exposure to inclusive practices is enabling them to live their best life.

    • Examples of groups sharing good practice and driving initiatives e.g a chat group that uses this opportunity to educate others. Your project could document the format, requirements, suggested do’s and don’ts, and feedback from participants.

We welcome applications from creative individuals, small teams, organisations and people with lived experience of communication disability.

The below documents will tell you everything you need to know about our partnership payments opportunity.

Mentoring Project phase two expression of interest

Expression of Interest

Read this document to learn more about the partnership payments and ways you can apply.
Mentoring Project phase two terms and conditions

Terms & Conditions

Read this document to understand the partnership payment rules.
Mentoring Project phase two scoring rubric

Scoring Rubric

Read this document to find out how your application will be assessed.
Mentoring Project phase two agreement

Agreement

This is the document you will sign if/when you are awarded a partnership payment.

Applications are closed.

The first round of applications have now closed. A new round of partnership payments will be released in mid-2026.

Partnership payment amount: up to $3000

Questions?

We’re here to support you!
 Email [email protected] with any questions.

Let’s keep redefining mentoring — and make space for everyone to connect, learn, and grow in their own way.

Phase One

We started by reviewing existing research on peer mentoring and gathering insights from past and current programs. Community consultations helped identify gaps and best practices. We will shared our findings, ideas and resources with PWCD, their families, educators and service providers for their feedback.

Phase Three

In this phase, we will compile a draft toolkit using insights from the first two phases. It will include videos, resources, programs and guidelines in various accessible formats. The draft will be available for review and feedback, and made available as a free public resource when the project ends.

Acknowledgment of Terminology

We acknowledge that terms like AAC and PWCD are labels that may or may not be preferred terminology by some people. We respect diversity of opinion and an individual’s right to decide on their own terminology. Currently at Two Way Street, we’ve chosen to use the term “People with Communication Disability” (PWCD). Importantly, this term assumes a model of disability that recognises the dynamic interactions between the individual, their communication partners, the environment, and the topics of conversation, highlighting that meaningful communication is shaped by multiple factors working together. This means that PWCD includes anyone who experiences breakdowns in communication related to their own methods of communication, their communication partners, or barriers created by a less inclusive environment.

Acknowledgment of Cultural Influence

We recognise the cultural biases and influences that shape our perspectives in this project, particularly the predominant Western viewpoints on communication, autonomy, connection, belonging, and opportunity. While we strive to be inclusive of all individuals and communicators, we understand that our own cultural backgrounds, funding, and time capacity may pose limitations. We invite everyone to engage with the information and resources we share through their own cultural lenses, and we welcome feedback and modifications that enhance our collective understanding.

Funding Acknowledgement

This project received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing