Applications are now closed. The next application period opens in July 2013.
Social enterprises and micro businesses operating in the City of Melbourne may be eligible for financial grants and mentoring to the value of $25,000.
Under the social enterprise and micro business grants program, businesses creating or expanding employment and self-employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons will be eligible to apply for the grants. This includes enterprises and businesses providing employment and self-employment opportunities for indigenous persons, disabled persons, homeless persons, long-term unemployed persons and former refugees.
The grants program aims to encourage the establishment and expansion of social enterprises and micro businesses that enhance the City of Melbourne’s reputation for business vitality, diversity and inclusiveness. It is envisaged that these enterprises will contribute further to the city’s thriving economy and community.
Key dates
| Opens |
Closes |
Notification |
Comments |
| 18 February 2013 |
18 March 2013 |
July 2013 |
For events / activities completed by July 2014 |
| 15 July 2013 |
12 August 2013 |
December 2013 |
For events / activities completed by December 2014 |
Key objectives
The grants program is designed to assist enterprises to accelerate the start-up or expansion of financially viable businesses, by assisting with related expenditure such as fit-out of premises, specialised equipment and IT equipment and software, including website development.
- Encourage the establishment and expansion of sustainable social enterprises and micro businesses that enhance the City of Melbourne’s reputation for business vitality, diversity and inclusiveness.
- Support social enterprises and micro businesses that demonstrate a point-of-difference, solid market potential and a sound business model, including long-term financial viability.
- Create significant, sustainable, supported employment or self-employment opportunities within the City of Melbourne municipality for people who are:
- former refugees and newcomers arriving under the humanitarian immigration program
- homeless
- Indigenous
- long-term unemployed
- persons with a disability including mental illness.
- Increase the level of business and social investment in the City of Melbourne municipality, which will contribute to a thriving and competitive economic and community environment within the city.
Am I eligible for a social enterprise and micro business grant?
The social enterprise and micro business grant program provides financial assistance to organisations currently located or intending to locate in the City of Melbourne.
Applications are accepted from not-for-profit organisations and for-profit businesses. However, at the forefront of their activities will be the social purpose of employing or providing self-employment opportunities in a sustainable and supportive manner, for Indigenous persons, disabled persons, homeless persons, long-term unemployed persons and former refugees.
Government departments or agencies, unincorporated associations, subsidiaries of larger companies, franchises or branches of foreign companies are not eligible to apply. Intermediaries or consultants applying on behalf of other organisations are not eligible to apply.
View eligibility criteria
Grant amounts
View details of grant amounts, including information on individual types of items that can be claimed under each grant category, training costs, etc.
Categories
Applications can be made in one of four sub-categories:
When the grants are open for applications, the City of Melbourne holds information sessions and workshops.
Processes, terms and other considerations
Download the social enterprise and micro business grants guidelines (PDF, 2MB)
Round one 2011–12 social enterprise and micro business grant recipients
View 2011 social enterprise and micro business grant recipients approved for funding.
Further information
For further information, please contact:
Business and International Team
Phone: 03 9658 8710
Email: smallbusinessgrants@melbourne.vic.gov.au