Yarra City Council is delivering added support for local traders and small business across the municipality in partnership with the Victorian Government.

Under the Working for Victoria initiative, five new Small Business Ambassadors will be working closely with traders to provide practical, on-the-ground support and help meet the ongoing challenges local business face as a result of COVID-19.

Yarra’s Small Business Ambassadors will work one-on-one with local business to connect them with much-needed peer support, mentoring and training, as well as provide the latest information and advice on COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, grants and government support.

Yarra Mayor, Cr Gabrielle de Vietri, said that the last few weeks had been a difficult time for everyone in the community, including the vast majority of Yarra’s local businesses.

“Our Small Business Ambassador program recognises hardships faced by so many and provides very practical support for local traders,” Cr de Vietri said.

“Whether it’s individual one-on-one mentoring, information on local grants and government support or simply just a friendly face and regular conversation with someone who knows and understands the difficulties of owning and operating a small business during COVID, our Small Business Ambassadors are an important part of Yarra’s pandemic response and recovery.

“This builds on the significant support Yarra has provided local businesses over the past 12 months including direct grants, permit fee waivers and refunds.

“By working with the Victorian Government through its Working for Victoria initiative, we are also providing important employment opportunities for local people who have lost their jobs, many as a result of COVID-19.

“We know that for many the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt strongly, but through initiatives like our Small Business Ambassadors and other Working for Victoria programs, we can make a real, tangible difference and help rise to the challenges and opportunities presented by this pandemic.”

For more information on Yarra’s small business support measures, including our $7.46 million Community and Economic Support Package, visit our COVID-19 Information Hub.

For information on the Working for Victoria initiative, including current vacancies and how to apply, visit the Working for Victoria website.

To find out who your local Small Business Ambassador is and how to reach them, contact Yarra’s business support team on 9205 5555 or email [email protected].