Grants invest in small businesses

More than 90 business associations and local councils will benefit from two grant programs, so they can support small businesses across the state to thrive.

Multicultural Business Skills Fund Grant Program

Seventeen business associations will receive $5,000 grants through the Multicultural Business Skills Fund Grant Program.

This funding will deliver training and advice to strengthen the business skills of multicultural small business owners and their workers.

This includes Little Africa Business Association, which will provide small businesses in Footscray with practical digital technology training. Traders will build skills in EFTPOS, point of sale and digital marketing. The training will help traders:

• adopt cashless payments
• improve sales record keeping
• confidently promote their businesses online.

The Multicultural Business Skills Fund is an initiative under the Victorian Government’s $17 million Supporting our Multicultural Traders and Precincts commitment.

Learn more about the projects that received funding through the Multicultural Business Skills Fund Grant Program.

Shop Local Business Fund

More than 80 business associations and local councils will receive $5,000 through the Shop Local Business Fund.

The grants will help small businesses promote their achievements and grow their networks, capability and trade. Projects will also build the capability of business associations to better meet the needs of small businesses.

Grant recipient Rural City of Wangaratta will showcase local businesses through professionally produced short-form videos. The project will:

• celebrate local business owners
• increase awareness of local products and services
• encourage residents and visitors to shop local.

The Shop Local Business Fund is funded through the 2026-27 Victorian Budget.

Learn more about the projects that received funding through the Shop Local Business Fund.