Applications for round two of Yarra Council’s Precinct Recovery Grants are now open, paving the way for an even more vibrant and thriving post-COVID economy.

The program provides individual grants of up to $20,000 to eligible groups of Yarra businesses – or businesses and community members – to deliver projects that activate, promote and enhance our vibrant and much-loved precincts.

Yarra Mayor Cr Gabrielle de Vietri said that round one of the grant program had been a huge success, with nine projects funded across Yarra’s bustling precincts.

“We’ve seen some absolutely fantastic initiatives by our local traders, including a Japanese food festival in Fitzroy, and a beer trail across Collingwood.”

“Our funding has also supported creative initiatives and localised marketing campaigns to get people engaged and excited about what their neighbourhood has to offer,” Cr de Vietri said.

The grants program has a total funding pool of $160,000, and initial applications close on Sunday 7 February 2021 at 11.59pm (previously Friday 5 February). After a round of informal interviews, successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application and proposal.

“It’s so important we support our businesses and precincts through Yarra’s revitalisation, especially when it can be done in such creative and innovative ways,” Cr de Vietri said.

There are some projects that aren’t eligible for this round of funding – read the guidelines for all the details about how to apply and eligibility criteria. 

Apply now

Applications are now open via SmartyGrants.

Contact us

For questions about these grants and the application process, contact Yarra’s business support team on 9205 5555 or email [email protected].

Previous grant recipients

The People of Gertrude Street

The People of Gertrude Street is a mix of community and business owners with the aim of demonstrating the rich cultural diversity of Gertrude Street. They have been telling the stories of businesses on Gertrude Street through a series of images and short films.

So far, 50 disposable cameras have been distributed to locals, with 1,350 photos taken. Two hundred individual pieces have been installed on Gertrude Street and surrounds. You can watch their videos through their Instagram @peopleofgertrudestreet.

Gertrude Saturdays

Gertrude Saturdays was a group of businesses that came together to create a series of activations on Saturdays in December. 

Businesses offered special offers and provided pop-up entertainment for visitors to Gertrude Street, providing a boost to the local economy and attracting more visitors to the street over the Christmas period. 

The events were promoted through the Gertrude Saturdays Instagram account @gertrudesaturdays.

Queens Parade Christmas market

Queens Parade was transformed into a family market day on 12 December 2020, after a mix of business and community members created a one-day Christmas market with footpath trading, buskers and activities for the kids. 

People loved the buskers and holiday atmosphere created by the outdoor dining and trade. There’s also been a lot of positive feedback about the heritage posters on shop windows, and the treasure hunt was a big success, with over 75 children participating.

Feedback from Queens Parade retailers has been extremely positive, with some saying they had the best trade ever for one day during their time on the street. Trade has remained good since.

North Fitzroy Village – Your Hood with the Goods

This campaign created awareness in the local and immediate surrounding communities to show that businesses in North Fitzroy are open for business. 

The campaign encouraged people who are familiar with the Village to engage and re-connect with it, while also enticing new people to visit and discover what North Fitzroy as a whole has to offer. This has been achieved through both online marketing and the distribution of campaign collateral, colouring competitions, fridge magnets, posters and window decals.

The campaign created a lot of support from the business community, a brand and a map of businesses for people to visit.