The purpose
Empowering Communities was a state government–funded program focused on increasing perceptions of safety, addressing racism and vilification, and supporting young people in Wyndham to thrive. It brought together community members, organisations and local partners to identify priorities and shape responses to local challenges. As part of the program, a partnership grant model was developed to back community-led initiatives—supporting local ideas, leadership and action to build a safer and more connected Wyndham.
Image: Empowering Communities Grant Recipients at presentation evening (Courtesy of Wyndham City Council)
Our approach
The Public Value Studio worked in collaboration with a Local Action Group (LAG) made up of Wyndham community members, alongside Council, to design a new community grant program. This process involved facilitating conversations to explore different funding models and identifying the approach that best aligned with the aspirations of both community members and institutional partners.
Working closely with the LAG, the Public Value Studio co-developed the program’s funding guidelines, application process, and assessment framework. The result was a program that community members felt genuine ownership of, while also meeting the regulatory, procurement, and accountability requirements of both the State Government and Council.
Outcomes
The grants program concluded in 2024, marking the successful delivery of over $370,000 in State Government funding to support locally led safety initiatives. The program contributed to long-term community outcomes by strengthening local capacity, building collaborative partnerships, and enabling community-driven responses to safety and inclusion.
Funded projects focused on fostering a sense of belonging through intercultural and interfaith connection, as well as empowering children and young people to make positive life choices. These initiatives were delivered by a diverse range of community organisations and have had a meaningful, lasting impact across Wyndham – enhancing perceptions of safety, deepening community connections, and demonstrating the value of place-based investment in local leadership and prevention-focused approaches.
Other grant program work
The Public Value Studio has been involved in a number of grant program design and review processes, with a focus on accessibility, impact, and alignment between government and community priorities.
These reviews include:
Community Grants Program Reviews
Hume City Council
Brimbank City Council
Festivals and Events Grants Reviews
Brimbank City Council
Yarra City Council
