The Building Safer Communities Program was announced in November 2020. The program includes community forums, and grants to support innovative, evidence-based approaches to address crime and improve community safety.

Grants

Grants are offered through 4 streams of funding which are outlined below:

 

Grant

About

Application dates

Creating Safer Places

Competitive grants of between $25,000 to $300,000 for councils to fund urban design and place activation initiatives to improve the safety and use of public places by a diverse range of community members.

Find out more about the Creating Safer Places grants
 

Applications for Round 2 of Creating Safer Places have now closed.

 

Crime Prevention Innovation Fund

Competitive grants of between $25,000 and $300,000 for councils, not for profit community organisations and other specialist organisations for partnership projects that deliver and evaluate innovative community safety and crime prevention initiatives.

Find out more about the Crime Prevention Innovation Fund grants

 

Applications for Round 2 of the Crime Prevention Innovation Fund have now closed.

 

Empowering Communities Grants

The Empowering Communities approach includes targeted grants of up to $700,000 to priority communities to support the development of community-led crime prevention initiatives. Priority communities are identified based on an analysis of crime and social data to ensure investment is targeted to areas where it is needed most.

These grants recognise that communities are well placed to deliver effective, innovative and sustainable crime prevention approaches when they have access to resources, expertise and practical tools, and are united by a common goal.

Find out more about the Empowering Communities grants.

Expressions of Interest for Round 1 and 2 have now closed.

Youth Engagement Grants

The Youth Engagement Grants are open to small multicultural and Aboriginal clubs and organisations to support young people make positive life choices and reach their potential.

Up to $50,000 per project over 2 years can be funded.

Find out more about the Youth Engagement Grants.

Applications for the Youth Engagement Grants Round 2 are now closed.

Forums

Building Safer Communities forums were held in 9 local government areas which have received funding through Empowering Communities.

The forums brought together community stakeholders in a facilitated discussion about local crime and safety issues and possible solutions for the community-led Action Groups to consider as they develop the Empowering Communities initiatives.

Participants included:

  • local service providers and community representatives
  • Victoria Police
  • local government and other government agencies
  • Neighbourhood Watch, and
  • Crime Stoppers Victoria.

You can find more information about the forums on our Empowering Communities page.

Assistance

For general enquiries about these grants, email communitycrimeprevention@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)