Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program provides funding to support events, activities, and projects that activate public spaces, strengthen community connections, and enhance the quality of life across the Central Coast. The program encourages innovative initiatives that create vibrant gathering places, promote local identity, boost tourism, and increase community participation.
Funding of up to $20,000 per financial year is available for eligible projects, including both financial contributions and in-kind Council support. Funded activities must be completed within 18 months of receiving funding.
About the Program
- The program supports community-driven events and activities that enhance public spaces across the Central Coast.
- It aims to create vibrant, inclusive, and engaging places for residents, visitors, and tourists.
- Funding supports projects that encourage social connection, cultural participation, and economic activity.
- Activities should contribute to stronger neighbourhoods, increased community wellbeing, and greater regional engagement.
Program Objectives
The program seeks to:
- Activate town centres, lakes, foreshores, and green spaces
- Showcase the Central Coast region
- Strengthen local identity and community pride
- Increase tourism and regional economic benefits
- Encourage community participation and inclusion
- Support creativity and cultural expression
- Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
- Promote stakeholder collaboration and engagement
- Transform public spaces into vibrant community hubs
- Create opportunities for neighbourhood connection
Funding Information
- Maximum funding: Up to $20,000 per financial year
- Funding may include:
- Direct financial assistance
- In-kind Council services and support
- Project completion period: Within 18 months of funding approval
What Activities Are Supported?
Eligible projects may include:
- Community festivals and events
- Sporting events and activities
- Cultural celebrations
- Heritage-focused initiatives
- Place activation projects
- Community engagement programs
- Arts and creative projects
- Public space activation activities
- Neighbourhood-based events
- Tourism and destination events
The program also supports:
- Ongoing programs offering free or subsidised public access
- Annual events that provide regional benefits
- Activities that have grown in significance within a community
- Projects involving non-fixed equipment purchases or hire where long-term community benefit can be demonstrated
- Public liability insurance costs directly related to the funded activity
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Legally constituted not-for-profit organisations
- Registered charities
- Legal entities with not-for-profit status
- Community groups operating under an auspice arrangement
- Businesses
- Central Coast-based community-run emergency service organisations
Applicants must:
- Operate within the Central Coast region or demonstrate clear benefits for Central Coast residents
- Meet all program eligibility requirements
- Address at least one program objective
- Submit all required supporting documentation
Project Requirements
Funded projects must:
- Deliver clear community benefits
- Promote community participation and inclusion
- Demonstrate capacity-building outcomes where relevant
- Support public space activation
- Align with Council priorities
- Incorporate environmentally sustainable practices
- Follow Council’s Sustainable Events Management Guide
Environmental Sustainability Requirements
Projects are expected to:
- Reduce environmental impacts where possible
- Promote sustainable event practices
- Minimise waste generation
- Encourage responsible resource use
- Support environmentally conscious community engagement
Why This Program Matters
- Vibrant public spaces contribute to stronger and more connected communities.
- Community events help support local businesses and tourism.
- Place activation encourages greater use of public areas and strengthens local identity.
- Cultural, sporting, and heritage activities create opportunities for inclusion and community participation.
- The program helps transform everyday spaces into welcoming destinations for residents and visitors.
Application Tips
- Clearly explain how the project benefits the community.
- Demonstrate how the activity will activate a public space.
- Show evidence of community support and stakeholder involvement.
- Include realistic budgets and timelines.
- Highlight expected social, cultural, or economic outcomes.
- Incorporate sustainability measures into project planning.
- Explain how the project aligns with the program objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the maximum funding available?
- Applicants may receive up to $20,000 per financial year, including financial support and in-kind Council services.
- Who can apply?
- Not-for-profit organisations, charities, community groups, businesses, and eligible community-run emergency service entities.
- What types of projects are supported?
- Sporting, cultural, heritage, tourism, community engagement, and place activation projects.
- Can annual events apply?
- Yes, annual events that provide benefits to the wider community and region are eligible.
- Can funding be used for equipment?
- Yes, non-fixed equipment purchases or hire may be supported where there is a demonstrated long-term community benefit.
- How long do funded projects have to be completed?
- Projects must be completed within 18 months of receiving funding.
- Are sustainability measures required?
- Yes, funded activities must promote environmental sustainability and align with Council’s Sustainable Events Management Guide.
Conclusion
The Community Events and Place Activation Grant Program supports projects that bring people together, activate public spaces, and strengthen community life across the Central Coast. With funding of up to $20,000, the program helps organisations deliver inclusive, creative, and impactful events that enhance local identity, support tourism, and create vibrant community spaces for residents and visitors alike.
For more information, visit Central Coast Council.
