Place Activation Grants

Applications opening soon

Place Activation grants aim to deliver activities that will attract people to places in Nillumbik.

The purpose of this grant is to assist community groups and local residents in the delivery of place activations across Nillumbik to enhance the user experience within public places and spaces. These activities are supported by Nillumbik’s Placemaking Framework(PDF, 2MB).

What can be funded

Grants of up to $4,000 are available to assist with the delivery of place activation activities in Nillumbik.

The objectives of this grant are to support and encourage activities that:

• support new or expanded activities in public spaces to deliver clear public value, including increased visitation and longer stays
• support low cost, innovative and temporary place activations to test ideas and contribute to local township improvements
• drive a strong social impact for the community, particularly through increased use and activation of public spaces
• enhance a sense of belonging, identity and purpose within community
• demonstrate broad community connectivity and participation
• contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community through active, inclusive and engaging use of public spaces
• bring tourism and economic benefit
• provide accessible and inclusive opportunities for diverse communities to participate in public activities
• demonstrate environmental practices and initiatives within place-based activations
• deliver safe, compliant and well-managed activities in public places.

Physical improvements or temporary infrastructure may be funded where they support or enable place activation outcomes, rather than being the primary focus of the grant funding.

What won’t be funded

Applications will NOT be considered for:

• projects, events or activities that:
  • do not support the activation of a public space
  • are single membership-based or private events that are not open to the public
  • are fully ticketed with no free or heavily subsidised component
  • could be funded through Council’s annual community grant programs, peak bodies or other government funding
  • are being held outside the Nillumbik municipal boundary, or that won’t substantially benefit the Nillumbik community
  • are curriculum based or entirely student, club or congregation focused
  • are solely for fundraising purposes without broad community benefit
  • have a sole political or religious purpose that could be perceived as divisive within the community
  • have received full funding from another source
• conferences, tradeshows, organisation open days, lectures or workshops that do not actively contribute to the activation of a public place
• ongoing operational expenses or core business costs (e.g. salaries, administrative costs, maintenance costs, supplies, uniforms, organisational materials, utility bills, etc)
• duplication of existing projects, programs, or activities currently funded by Council (if you wish to leverage off an existing project, program, or activity you must identify the innovative element or point of difference/value add)
• competitions with no community component
• prize money, awards and donations
• activities that are primarily commercial
• alcohol or gambling related activities
• retrospective funding for projects that are due to commence prior to the notification of the application outcome
• applicants that are in debt to or have any outstanding commitments and/or acquittals with Nillumbik Shire Council.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration, applicants MUST:

• be a not-for-profit incorporated organisation or community group that lives, works, studies, volunteers or plays in Nillumbik
  • unincorporated organisations and groups can apply if partnered with (auspiced by) an eligible not-for-profit incorporated organisation
• hold a minimum of $20 million public liability insurance at the time of the activity (if activity held in a Council venue or on Council land, you may be eligible for coverage under Council’s community public liability insurance)
• activities or events on Council land may require an event permit (for more information see Planning an event in Nillumbik)
• have acquitted and be compliant with all Nillumbik grants previously awarded by Council
• spend the funds before 30 June 2027.

Funding conditions

Successful applicants must agree to:

• keep Council informed of any changes to the proposed funded activity
• liaise with Council regarding their promotional material and use of the appropriate Nillumbik Shire Council logo
• obtain all relevant project and event related permits, approvals, and licences from the relevant authorities prior to commencement
• return the full or remaining amount of grant monies to Council if the funded activity is cancelled or is less than budgeted
• submit an acquittal and evaluation to Council within two months of the funded activity’s completion, or no later than 30 June 2027.

Acquittal and evaluation

This information enables Council to evaluate the achievements of funded activities, monitor the effectiveness of the grant program and ensure that we are meeting the needs of grant recipients and the community.

Recipients who have an outstanding acquittal for a grant, without an approved grant variation in place, may be ineligible for funding in future grant rounds until the outstanding acquittal is received.