Council’s Empowering Communities Grant Project Opening 14 February 2023

The Project aims to support community designed and delivered initiatives that take an innovative approach to address local issues around community safety, connection, access and support. Project funding is available to support community led initiatives focused on improving safety outcomes for young people in Greater Shepparton. The four funding streams are:

Visionary – Up to $100,000 - a major initiative that will deliver on a vision that results in significant change. Dynamic – Up to $50,000 - a major initiative that can facilitate a dynamic shift in improved community safety or perception of community safety Transformative – Up to $25,000 - smaller scaled initiatives that produce transformative and measureable results Empowering – Up to $10,000 - small scale initiatives which empower organisations and individuals to work in partnership to respond to local community safety concerns.

A Local Action Group (the Group), comprising of diverse community members that live and work in Greater Shepparton, has been formed to support and implement the Project. The Group will review EOI and make recommendations around the allocation of funding.

The Empowering Communities Project is hosting information sessions for anyone interested in making an EOI or seeking additional information on the grants process.

Initial information sessions will be held as per the following schedule:

Shepparton Library – Thursday 9 February 2023, 6.00pm – 7:30pm Dookie Men’s Shed – Friday 10 February 2023, 9.30am – 10.30am Mooroopna Library – Wednesday 15 February 2023, 6.30pm – 8.30pm La Trobe Shepparton Campus – Saturday 18 February 2023, 10.30am – 12.00pm Tatura Library – Saturday 25 February 2023, 10.30pm – 11.30pm

For additional information on session locations and times, visit Shaping Greater Shepparton

Alternatively, contact the Empowering Communities team via email [email protected] or telephone 5832 9700 to find out more.

EOI’s can be made through a variety of forms including written, video submission or a pitch panel experience.

Mayor, Cr Shane Sali said Council encourages people with ideas that fit the funding streams to attend an information session to find out more.

“This is a great opportunity for our community to suggest ideas for projects that responds to local issues around safety, connection, access and support. Whether your idea is small or large, I invite you to attend an information session to learn how you can get involved in this unique opportunity,” said Cr Sali.

For more information and or assistance, contact the Empowering Communities Project Coordinator on [email protected] or by contacting Council by phone on (03) 5832 9700