Community Innovation Grant Program
The Community Innovation Grant Program provides funding to African community organisations and community groups based in Victoria to deliver innovative community projects which support the inclusion and participation of Victoria's African communities.
Not-for-profit groups
The program aims to support Victoria's African communities to have a strong sense of belonging, connection and inclusion.
The Community Innovation Grant Program is a competitive grant program administered by the Multicultural Affairs Division, Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The objectives of the program are to:
support Victorian African community organisations and community groups to deliver innovative projects that meet the needs of Victoria's African communities
support the inclusion and participation of Victoria's African communities
promote social cohesion and community harmony in Victoria through innovative, African community-led projects
Applicants from regional areas of Victoria, first-time applicants and newly arrived community groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Additional consideration will be given to projects that seek to support the inclusion and participation of people from African communities who may face additional barriers, for example, young people, women, seniors, and people with a disability.
Applications open
15 December 2019 to 07 February 2020
Successful grants
VACAP Community Innovation Grant Program 2020 - Successful Recipients
pdf 124.4 KB
African community-led organisations in Victoria may submit applications, provided they are one of the following entity types:
incorporated associations (incorporated under state legislation, commonly have 'Association' or 'Incorporated' or 'Inc.' in their legal name)
incorporated cooperatives (also incorporated under state legislation, commonly have 'Cooperative' in their legal name)
a not-for-profit entity registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic)
Organisations must also have:
a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
no outstanding accountability reports or final reports required for any Multicultural Affairs funded grants
Please email VACAP@dpc.vic.gov.au if you are unsure if your organisation is up to date.
Community groups or applicants that are not incorporated or do not have an ABN may apply if they are supported by an eligible auspice organisation that has agreed to manage the grant on their behalf.
Only one application will be considered per organisation or community group.
Who is not eligible to apply?
state and federal government departments and agencies
individuals and sole traders
commercial enterprises
Fixed Trusts
Local Government Authorities (however LGAs can act as an auspice for an unincorporated community group)
political parties and organisations
Your project must be ready to start by April 2020 and be finished no later than 31 May 2021. After that date, grant payments will cease.
Your application must:
come from an eligible organisation (see 'Who is eligible to apply?')
clearly address one or more of the Community Innovation Grant Program objectives
meet a community need, have undergone sufficient planning and be ready to proceed
clearly show how the project will be completed before 31 May 2021
include all relevant supporting documentation
Support will not be given for the following:
funding for competitions, commercial or fundraising activities
funding to support interstate or international travel or to support people or organisations from overseas to visit Victoria
retrospective funding for activities or equipment that has already taken place, been purchased or has been contracted to be purchased
funding to supplement the recurrent or ongoing costs of an organisation including for wages and training
funds for organisations that are primarily political or religious in nature
applications from ineligible applicants
applications that do not address the Community Innovation Grant Program objectives and assessment criteria
applications that are not complete
applications that are not submitted on time
Eligible applications will be assessed against the program objectives, eligibility requirements and assessment criteria.
Applicants will be required to provide responses to the assessment criteria and submit a budget and workplan.
Applications will be assessed by a panel that includes representatives from the Victorian Multicultural Commission, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Victorian African Communities Action Plan Implementation Committee.
The final decision will be made by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Once a decision has been made, you will be advised if your application has been successful or not.
It is anticipated that there will be strong competition for the funding available.
If successful, the amount of funding you receive may be less than the amount requested in the application. You may be asked to revise your budget and project in line with the funding offered.
Why Is this project or activity needed?
The application clearly demonstrates the link between the proposed activity and a community need.
What will the project or activity achieve?
The application demonstrates:
how the activity will support the program objectives
the expected outcomes of the activity
The application demonstrates the extent to which the proposed activity:
will reach the target audience/s
engages priority groups such as women, young people, people with a disability and regional and rural communities
is led by African community organisations or community groups
How will the project or activity be delivered?
The application demonstrates the extent to which the activity or project:
will be designed by, and appropriate for, Victoria's African communities
is ready to proceed and supported by a clear plan and realistic timeframes
is based on sound cost estimates and represents value for money
How will you measure the success of this project?
The application demonstrates the extent to which information will be collected to measure whether the initiative or project has met its objectives and the intended change has taken place.
Documentation to attach to your application
a Certificate of Currency for public liability insurance with a minimum cover of $10 million for any one occurrence
a letter of support from an auspice organisation, if your organisation is being auspiced by another organisation
Reviewed 06 October 2020
VACAP Team Department of Premier and Cabinet
VACAP@dpc.vic.gov.au