Community Development

Council invites applications that address the priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. 

One of the most powerful ways to support good health and wellbeing is through building social connections and a sense of belonging. Almost all grant projects aim to do this in some way.

Council encourages applications that are locally focused, creative and respond to health and wellbeing issues. We invite strength-based projects that tap into local skills, knowledge, and energy to meet needs and take up opportunities to build more connected and vibrant communities.

For example: Yarra Ranges residents can increase social connection through participation in group activities. This can be particularly important for people who may be more vulnerable or isolated.

This category looks to foster connected and healthy communities through projects that:

• Build and enable mental wellbeing by supporting strong and sustainable social connections.

• Promote and support physical health.

• Nurture thriving local communities.

• Build our food system, increasing access to healthy food and skills to grow and cook food.

• Build respect and inclusion.

• Increase participation of people living with disability.

• Welcome people from all backgrounds.

• Build disaster resilience by strengthening social connection and networks, and increasing knowledge, skills, and planning for emergencies.

• Include people from diverse cultural backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and LGBTQIA+ community members.

Find out more by exploring Council’s Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

Applicants applying for projects that focus on Health and Wellbeing must first speak with the Health and Wellbeing team.

Please contact Rachel Giddens from the Health and Wellbeing team via email at r.giddens@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or phone one 03 9294 6882

This category supports environmental sustainability.

Priority will be given to applications that address one or more of the following:

• Nature Conservation: projects that restore, protect and enhance local biodiversity.

• Environmental Stewardship: initiatives that raise community awareness about environmental issues, fostering conservation and sustainability understanding.

• Climate Resilience: projects that improve community resilience and adaptation to climate change and extreme weather.

• Water Resource Management: initiatives that conserve water, improve water quality, and/or protect freshwater ecosystems.

• Innovative Sustainability: projects that use innovative tech and practices for sustainability, such as waste reduction, energy efficiency and sustainable transport, with clear impact measurement outcomes.

Applications can find out more by exploring Council’s Environmental Strategy.

Projects in this category will strengthen the relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Priority will be given to applications that address one or more of the following:

• Celebrate and protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

• Break down stereotypes and discrimination.

• Increase understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing.

• Enhance community driven initiatives that contribute to community wellbeing, economic participation, and cultural strengthening.

Applicants applying for projects that focus on Reconciliation must talk with a member of Council’s Indigenous Development team before submitting an application.

If you are a not-for-profit organisation, you can apply or auspice a young person to apply for an Annual Grant under this category. 

The need for your program must be identified by young people. This can be done by a co-design process, data, research, or consultations with young people.

Programs that engage young people in the diverse locations of Yarra Ranges will be prioritised. These include Warburton, Healesville, and the small townships across the region.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Promote opportunities for young people to engage in their community, build social connections, and give young people a voice in decision-making.

• Target culturally diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, all ability and LGBTQIA+ community members.

• Strengthen respectful relationships and focus on building resilience and promoting gender equality.

• Increase soft skills and pathways to employment for young people.

Applicants must talk with the Youth Development Coordinator Dudu Orman on 03 9294 6134 or d.orman@yarraranges.vic.gov.au prior to applying.

Please Note: Council will not fund camps and overnight camps

This category is for innovative projects that enhance the wellbeing and resilience of children and young people 0-14 years, and their families living in the Yarra Ranges.

Priority will be given to applications that address one or more of the following:

• Children, young people and their families have access to initiatives that are culturally safe and support connection.

• Design and deliver initiatives with a focus on improving wellbeing outcomes and promoting access to supports for children, young people and their families.

• Design and provide opportunities for children, young people and families to actively engage in their community and be involved in decision making.

Applicants must talk with the Early or Middle Years officer Loren Hedger l.hedger@yarraranges.vic.gov.au prior to applying.

Learn more about Child Safe Standards at Yarra Ranges.

Please Note: Child Safe Standards compliance is essential. Council does not fund overnight camps /activities for children and young people.

The Healthy Ageing category aims to promote innovative activities and initiatives that support individuals aged 50 years and over living in Yarra Ranges.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Provide opportunities for people aged 50 years and over to actively engage in their communities of choice.

• Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally diverse, LGBTIQA+, people living with dementia and all abilities.

• Address issues of ageism

• Improve outcomes for individuals experiencing social isolation and loneliness.

Applicants must talk with the Healthy and Active Ageing Officer Ellie Thompson e.thompson@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or Melissa Manfelds m.manfelds@yarraranges.vic.gov.au prior to applying.

• How the project responds to community opportunities or need/s
• Alignment with one or more Council key strategies or priorities
• Backed by evidence (data, consultation findings, letters of support) where appropriate
• Identifies what your project seeks to change (short or medium term impacts of the initiative)

Where appropriate:

• Demonstrates strategic partnerships between existing and new groups, or across sectors
• Includes evidence of community engagement in project design and delivery
•  Harnesses volunteer effort and builds community capacity to respond to local opportunities, issues or needs

• Demonstrates how you aim to increase inclusion including culturally and linguistically diverse groups, gender diversity, LGBTIQA+, people living with disability, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.

• Have a clear and well defined project plan
•  Demonstrates capacity to effectively deliver the program or service, including evidence of good governance (transparent, documented policies)

• Includes a budget that directly links to what you plan to do in your project
• Project is achievable within the proposed budget
• Project has funding and/or in-kind support from other sources, including from the applicant

• Read the 2026 Annual Grant Guide for your relevant stream.(PDF, 4MB)

• Check that you meet the eligibility requirements.

• Speak with a relevant council officer.

• Allow adequate time to obtain quotes for expenses over $750 and obtain letters of support.

• Ensure you have appropriate type and level of insurance ($10M Public Liability) for this grant application.

• Check you have acquitted all completed projects funded by Yarra Ranges Council.

• Secure an auspice well in advance (for individual/artist or a not-for-profit unincorporated community group).

• Allow two weeks if you are requiring a quote for use of council's venues and open spaces.

• Use the Grant Templates and Examples to help prepare you application.

• Allow adequate time to complete this application.

Before submitting your application, you are required to discuss your project with one of the relevant Council Officer.

You can find a contact list to speak to a Council Officer in the table within this section. Otherwise if you prefer to speak with an Officer you can call 1300 368 333 and ask for the relevant officer.