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 Victorian business oriented mental health support programs.
How does the program work?
Applicants will progress through the program following these steps:
- Apply and nominate up to two representatives
- Representative(s) attend a free training course – 10 hours over four weeks
- Submit a mental wellbeing project plan for approval
- Deliver the community-led mental wellbeing project between April and June 2022
- Join the Community of Practice and showcase mental wellbeing projects
- Submit a final report on the mental wellbeing project by 31 August 2022.
Why are you providing funding to Business Communities?
Business Communities, including chambers of commerce, trader groups, other business collectives and local government authorities play a critical leadership role in their local communities. These groups bring businesses together and empower them with advice, connections and resources. They offer businesses the opportunity to jointly market to their local community and pool resources to reduce their individual costs.
What is a Business Community?
For this program, a Business Community is defined as 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.
How do I apply?
Business Communities can apply directly via this webpage. Applications will close at 11.59pm on 31 March 2022, or when the program is fully subscribed.
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 200 grants available at $15,000 each.
Is there any support to help develop an appropriate project plan?
Yes. Up to 12 hours free coaching support will be provided to help training course participants develop a mental wellbeing project plan.
What is a Community of Practice?
A Community of Practice is a group of people who share a passion for something that they know how to do and who interact regularly to learn how to do it better.
A Community of Practice will be set up by the training course provider during the program to provide an opportunity for Victorian small business wellbeing champions to network and share knowledge and their experience.
Can I receive a Mental Wellbeing of Business Communities Grant if my organisation has already received a Business Chambers and Trader Groups Program Grant in either round one or two?
Yes. Recipients of grants under the Business Chambers and Trader Groups program in round one or round two are eligible to apply.
Do you have to complete the free mental health training course to receive the grant?
Yes. After at least one nominated representative has completed the free mental wellbeing training course, Business Communities can submit the community-led mental wellbeing project plan designed by its representative(s).
What does the free mental health training course involve?
There will be three mental wellbeing training courses and Business Community representative(s) will be allocated into one of these. If the allocated date does not suit your representative(s) you should contact the Department to discuss an alternative course date.
The free mental wellbeing training course will include 10 hours of online learning over four weeks with the option for afterhours training. The course will help Business Community representatives to 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 in order of submission and according to the eligibility criteria.
All fields in the application must be answered to enable timely assessment and 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.
Successful Business Community applicants will be invited to enter into a grant agreement with the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.
For further description of the criteria, please refer to the guidelines.
What happens if my project plan is not accepted?
You may have an opportunity to revise your project plan with the training provider and resubmit for approval.
How does the mental wellbeing project plan assessment process work?
After at least one nominated representative has completed the free mental wellbeing training course, Business Communities are required to submit the:
- community-led mental wellbeing project plan designed by its representative(s) with the support of the training provider
- training provider’s letter of recommendation for the community-led mental wellbeing project plan.
The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions will review the community-led 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
A successful applicant will be paid a grant of $15,000 to deliver the community-led mental wellbeing project for its small 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 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 examples shown, including outsourced services.