What is the objective of the program?
The objective of this program is to support initiatives run by business communities that:
- improve mental wellbeing, resilience and recovery in small businesses
- enable collaboration, connections and networks in business communities
- educate, inform and empower business communities in mental wellbeing
- increase the uptake of other mental health support programs oriented to Victorian businesses.
Do I need to include a wellbeing project proposal in my application? How does the program work?
No, you do not need to include your wellbeing project proposal in your application. To participate in the program, applicants go through the following steps:
- Apply through the Business Victoria Grants Portal and nominate up to 3 representatives to complete the mental health training
- At least one representative attends the free training course
- Submit a mental wellbeing project plan for approval
- Deliver the community-led mental wellbeing project between June and October 2023 with the assistance of a $15,000 grant
- Join the Community of Practice showcase of mental wellbeing projects
- Submit a final report on the mental wellbeing project by 30 November 2023.
What is a business community?
For this program, a business community is a not-for-profit member-based organisation with the purpose of representing, servicing and advocating for its business members.
A business community can be a chamber of commerce, trader group, industry association, business council, networking group or other registered business collective.
Why are you providing funding to business communities?
Business communities play a critical leadership role in their local communities. They are uniquely placed to provide a whole-of-community lens on issues facing their members and offer empowering solutions that bring their businesses together.
They offer businesses the opportunity to jointly market to their local community and pool resources to reduce individual costs.
How do I apply?
You can apply directly via the Business Victoria Grants Portal. Applications will be open from Wednesday 26 April until 11:59pm on Friday 12 May, or when the program is fully subscribed, whichever happens first.
The application must include:
- a summary of how business community members and their networks will benefit from the program
- an agreement that at least one representative will complete the free mental wellbeing training course and lead a mental wellbeing project.
How many grants are available?
There are up to 45 grants available of $15,000 (excl GST) each.
When do I develop the mental wellbeing project plan?
After the representative(s) complete the mental health training, the business community representative(s) will develop a mental wellbeing project plan and submit it for assessment.
Will I get any support to help develop an appropriate mental wellbeing project plan?
Yes. Up to 5 hours’ free flexible coaching and support will also be provided so that the business community representatives can develop a community-led mental wellbeing project plan.
What is a Community of Practice showcase?
A Community of Practice showcase brings together the business communities to share their projects with each other and the department.
Can I apply for a Mental Wellbeing of Business Communities Grant if my organisation has already received a grant under round 1, 2 or 3 of the Business Chambers and Trader Groups Program?
Yes. Grant recipients under the Business Chambers and Trader Groups Program are eligible to apply.
Do you have to complete the free mental health training course to receive the grant?
Yes. At least one nominated representative must complete the free full-day mental wellbeing training course before business communities can submit their community-led mental wellbeing project plan.
What does the free mental wellbeing training course involve?
The mental wellbeing training will be an online course for up to 7 hours over one full day. There are 2 dates to choose from for the training and you can select the preferred date for your representative(s) in the application:
- Tuesday 23 May 2023
- Thursday 25 May 2023
If the allocated date does not suit your representative(s), please contact us at wellbeing@business.vic.gov.au to discuss an alternative course date.
The course will help business community representatives build the confidence and skills to lead the delivery of a mental wellbeing project.
How does the application assessment process work?
Applications will be assessed on a first-in, first-served basis and against the program eligibility criteria.
You must complete all fields in the application and include:
- a summary of how business community members and their networks will benefit from the program
- an agreement that at least one representative will complete the free mental wellbeing training course and lead a mental wellbeing project.
Successful business community applicants will be invited to enter into a grant agreement with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.
For more information, please refer to the program guidelines.
What happens if my mental wellbeing project plan is not approved?
If your initial project plan is not approved, you may have an opportunity to revise your project plan with the training provider and resubmit it for approval.
How does the mental wellbeing project plan assessment process work?
After at least one nominated representative has completed the free full-day mental wellbeing training course, business communities are required to submit:
- their community-led mental wellbeing project plan designed by its representative(s) with the support of the training provider
- the training provider’s letter of recommendation for the community-led mental wellbeing project plan.
The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions will review the community-led mental wellbeing project plan and letter of recommendation in accordance with the assessment framework outlined in section 4.4 of the guidelines and below:
- Criterion 1 – Impacts and objectives
- Criterion 2 – Project implementation and organisational capability
Successful applicants will be paid a $15,000 grant (excl GST) to deliver the community-led mental wellbeing project for its business community after its project plan is accepted.
What types of projects will be considered eligible for the program?
Grant funds must be used by business communities to improve the mental health and wellbeing in small businesses to:
- support and encourage local business collaboration activities or programs
- engage small businesses to co-design programs to improve mental wellbeing, including promotional activities
- undertake activities that will start, build on, and/or extend work in the small business community to promote the mental wellbeing of small businesses
- set up mental wellbeing focus working groups
- help to improve small business workplace mental wellbeing, resilience and recovery in a COVID environment.
These examples are not exhaustive. Business communities may use grant funding to deliver projects other than the examples shown, including outsourced services.