Place Activation and Event Grant Program Information Session (via Zoom)

Join us online to receive useful advice about how to apply, the selection criteria and the assessment process, and to discuss your project with Council staff to give you the best chance at success.

About - Place Activation Grant

Grant funding is available for two streams of placemaking activities and events:

Stream 1 - Small Place Activation Grants

Our Small Place Activation Grant aims to empower local communities and stakeholders to shape their own places, solve local problems, help neighbours and colleagues and lead the change they want to see in Nillumbik through the delivery of placemaking activities between 1 January and 30 June 2025.

Placemaking, through place activation, is creating quality places that people want to live, work and play by increasing vibrancy and contributing to a safe and inclusive community. It is a collaborative process that has everyone’s wellbeing in mind.

The purpose of this grant is to assist community groups and local residents in the delivery of placemaking activities across Nillumbik to enhance the user experience within public places and spaces. These activities are supported by Nillumbik’s Placemaking Framework.

What can be funded via a Small Place Activation Grant?

The program offers up to $4,500 in funding, from a pool of $20,000, to support and encourage placemaking activities in Nillumbik that:

drive a strong social impact for the community
provide economic benefit and enhance visitation to our municipality
improve the physical environment of the area
support new activities in a public space and demonstrate public value
support low cost, innovative place activations that encourage improvements to local townships
enhance a sense of belonging, identify and purpose within community
demonstrate broad community connectivity and participation
contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community
provide options for accessibility and consider inclusion within the community
demonstrate environmental practices and initiatives
deliver successful, safe and compliant activities.

What won't be funded via Small Place Activation Grant?

Conferences
Tradeshows
Lectures
Fundraising activities
Workshops
Organisation open days

Stream 2 - Large Event Grant (limited, one-time funding)

The Large Event Grant offers one-off seed funding to support new events in Nillumbik that will enhance the visitor economy and foster economic development and tourism.

Nillumbik Shire Council is looking to fund new events and festivals that:

are planned and staged for a particular interest or purpose
bring people together and provide opportunities for them to connect and participate
provide connection and benefit to local businesses
are open to members of the public and are publicly announced or advertised
are expected to be attended by more than 1,000 people
take place between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026 and contribute to a diverse and balanced calendar of events in Nillumbik.

What can be funded via a Large Event Grant?

The program offers one-time grants from $5,000 up to $15,000, from a pool of $30,000, to assist organisers to pilot new events in Nillumbik that:

are fun, safe, sustainable, accessible and inclusive
bring people together, providing opportunities for them to connect and participate locally
provide economic benefit and enhance visitation to our municipality
create opportunities for local business, artists and community groups to participate
support local economic, cultural and social impacts
celebrate and support diverse communities
promote Nillumbik’s lifestyle, cultural strengths and visitor economy, recognising it as a vibrant place to live and visit.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a contribution to holding the event, either through in-kind support, voluntary services or cash. The value of contribution demonstrated must be at least 50 per cent of the funding request. For example, if you request funding of $10,000, you must show a co-contribution of at least $5,000 (cash or in-kind).

The Large Event Grants have a long lead time to ensure applicants are notified of the funding outcome as well as receive the funds well in advance to allow for planning and promotional lead times.

For more information, head to our Grants page