Step 2
Choose the grant stream for your project or activity
The Annual Community Strengthening Grants have 6 grant streams. In your online Smarty Grants application, you'll be asked to choose the stream your project/activity best fits into. There will then be questions based on the objectives of that stream.
Read the objectives of each stream below. The adjacent video shows an example of a project that was funded through that grant stream. If you feel your project or activity falls under two or more streams, please choose the most relevant one.
1. Active Community - Sports and Recreation
This stream aims to build accessible recreation, sport and physical activities to meet the needs of our community (now and in the future), and enhance the functionality of public recreation spaces for a wide range of uses. Activities can also include education, training and capacity building for groups and clubs.
Objectives:
- provide new and innovative opportunities for people to participate in local sport and physical activities
- enhance participation in both structured (e.g. team sports) and non-structured (e.g. walking and cycling) sport and recreation for a diverse range of residents
- encourage clubs to be self-sustainable (e.g. specialist coaching clinics, sustainable sport club ideas, club governance or admin skills).
2. Life-long Community - opportunities for over 55s
This streams supports opportunities for older people (aged 55 and over) to maximise their quality of life, enhancing wellbeing and fostering connections in the local community through the provision of programs, activities, volunteering and community sharing projects.
Objectives:
- enhance older peoples' health and wellbeing and participation in the community
- improve older peoples' access and mobility around the community
- enhance social cohesion, promote strong community support networks and reduce social isolation.
3. Creative Community - Arts and Culture
This stream encourages diverse arts and cultural programs, festivals, events and activities that articulate and enhance arts, culture and heritage practice across Boroondara.
Objectives:
- promote health, wellbeing, safety and/or a sense of community within Boroondara
- offer life-long learning opportunities for Boroondara’s diverse community
- develop community stakeholder relationships (including arts and cultural organisations) which promote a sense of civic-pride
- empower local community members and stakeholders to contribute to cultural
- experiences and occasions for, and with, the community
- engage the community at facilities and public spaces across Boroondara
- introduce a new or emerging art form or cultural practice to the Boroondara community.
4. Healthy Community - Health, Safety and Wellbeing
This stream is available for projects and activities that promote safety, good health and wellbeing of individuals, families and community groups, across all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds.
Objectives:
- promote health, wellbeing, community safety, and prevention of violence
- build connected and inclusive communities
- offer learning opportunities for Boroondara’s diverse community.
5. Sustainable Community - Environmental Sustainability
This stream is available for projects and programs that build capacity to live sustainably and ensure our natural environment is healthy and sustainable for future generations through the efficient use of resources, reduction in waste and the protection of our local biodiversity.
Objectives:
- increase community awareness and understanding of environmental sustainability
- showcase our natural environment as healthy and sustainable for future generations
- build community capacity to live sustainably through efficient use of energy and water, resource recovery and/or reuse of materials, and renewable energy generation
- support initiatives and projects which demonstrate diverse environmental sustainability benefits, including:
- sustainable resource use (e.g. efficient use of energy and water, resource recovery, and renewable energy generation)
- reduction of waste generated and disposed of in landfill
- climate change mitigation and adaptation
- biodiversity protection and enhancement
- healthy waterways
- sustainable transport (e.g. walking and cycling)
- local and sustainable food production and distribution.
6. Vibrant Retail Precincts
This stream is available to eligible community organisations to deliver initiatives, projects and activities that increase the vibrancy and functionality of retail precincts, enhance a sense of community and pride, and promote a ‘buy local’ ethos. Applications under this stream must be developed in consultation with, and supported by, relevant trader association/s (if not led by a trader association).
Objectives:
- increase visitation and spending locally by promoting and showcasing the unique attributes and strengths of a retail precinct
- strengthen the connection between people, local community groups and retail precincts
- promote a sense of pride in the retail precinct
- encourage participation in community life and enhance health and wellbeing
- re-imagine and activate spaces to create memorable and social experiences where people feel a sense of belonging
- showcase the skills and talents of the local community
- promote and expand the local night-time economy.
Have you decided which stream your project falls into?
- If yes, go to step 3
- If no, and you need help, please contact the Community Development Officer (Grants and Partnerships) on 9278 4753 or email [email protected].
Would you like any help with your application? We have information sessions, one-on-one grant writing help and assistance with applying online. See our website for more information.