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Community Development Fund – Round 3

Community Development Fund – Round 3

  • Round 3 funding pool: approximately $9 million
  • Stream 1: up to $500,000 (excluding GST) per town or community for project management support and upskilling.
  • Stream 2: up to $2,000,000 (excluding GST) per town or community, made up of up to $500,000 (excluding GST) guaranteed funding, then up to $1.5 million (excluding GST) competitive funding once the guaranteed amount is exhausted.
  • Matched funding and in-kind contributions: not mandatory, but co-funding (cash or in-kind) is considered favourably and should be evidenced if included
  • EOI closes (Stream 2 only): June 15 2026
  • Applications close: June 30 2026

Community Development Fund – Round Three supports implementation of opportunities identified by eligible Victorian forestry transition communities through their Local Development Strategy. Funding is delivered via two merit-assessed streams. Stream 1 provides up to $500,000 (excluding GST) per town or community for project management support and upskilling to build business expertise and community capability. Stream 2 provides up to $2,000,000 (excluding GST) per town or community to progress diversification opportunities, including an initial guaranteed component (up to $500,000 excluding GST) and a competitive component (up to $1.5 million excluding GST) once the guaranteed amount is used.

Round 3 has an approximate $9 million (excluding GST) pool. Stream 2 requires an Expression of Interest before a full application. Co-funding is not required but is viewed favourably if provided.

Key Requirements

  • Implement Local Development Strategy opportunities that help communities transition to new and sustainable industries, create economic growth and future jobs, and build community capability and resilience.
  • Confirm eligibility through discussion with a Community Transition Coordinator before progressing, including Stream 2 Expression of Interest requirements.
  • Demonstrate value for money, clear objectives and outcomes, a project plan including governance arrangements, and evidence of community support and endorsement.
  • Provide a budget exclusive of GST and identify risks and how they will be managed
  • For applicants new to the fund (with noted exemptions), provide financial reports for the last 3 years and provide updated financials where the latest report is more than 6 months old

What is eligible for funding?

Stream 1 – Project management support and upskilling

  • Project management and coordination of Local Development Strategy priorities
  • Administration and support for Innovation Working Groups
  • Community meetings and engagement activities
  • Training, leadership development and business capability building

Stream 2 – Innovation opportunities

  • Applied research and development
  • Pilot projects, feasibility studies and business cases
  • Early implementation of innovation opportunities identified through LDS and Innovation Working Groups
  • Infrastructure improvements such as technology, plant, equipment, communications or utility connections

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicant types include:
  • Local government authorities
  • Incorporated community organisations
  • Not‑for‑profit organisations
  • Industry and business clusters or networks
  • Chambers of commerce, business associations and education or research organisations
Additional eligible applicants for Stream 2 include private sector businesses, utilities and service providers.
Eligible communities are limited to the following locations:
Benalla, Nowa Nowa, Yarram, Corryong, Orbost, Heyfield, Noojee, Swifts Creek, Koondrook, Yarra Ranges (Powelltown, Yarra Junction, Warburton) and Murrindindi (Alexandra, Taggerty, Buxton, Marysville, Narbethong).

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.