Youth Fest grants

Local government, community organisations and schools in Victoria may apply if:

• the applicant is a legal entity. This includes a not-for-profit incorporated body, co-operative or association
• the applicant has a current Australian Business Number (ABN) or provides written advice from the Australian Tax Office that withholding tax is not required from the grant payment
• the applicant has no outstanding reports from previous or current grants funded via the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
• Victorian Youth Fest 2026 activities are delivered within Victoria in the month of September 2026
• they partner with young people to design and deliver the proposed activities.

Commercial organisations or bodies formed for profit-making purposes are not eligible to receive a Victorian Youth Fest 2026 grant.

Organisations that do not meet these criteria are not eligible to apply for funding. But they might consider partnering with an eligible organisation under an auspice arrangement. Read the grant guidelines for more details:

The department assesses applications against the requirements in the following 4 criteria. Each section is rated using a percentage amount.

Applicants must use the criteria to show how their proposed project will meet the objectives of Victorian Youth Fest 2026.

Project overview

The project overview is rated at 15 per cent. Applicants must:

• provide an overview of the project, including its:
  • objectives
  • intended outcomes
  • what you will do
• describe the local needs for the project in the community
• provide evidence of the need for the project based on:
  • data
  • research
  • consultation with young people.

Project delivery

The project delivery is rated at 30 per cent. Applicants must describe how you will:

• support young people’s participation in planning and delivering the project
• showcase young people’s:
  • talents
  • achievements
  • contributions to the community
• plan for an accessible event.

Youth participation in the project

Youth participation in the project is rated at 45 per cent. Applicants must:

• list the roles and activities that young people will take on to deliver the project
• identify how the project will actively engage and encourage involving a diverse range of young people, including those who:
  • live in regional and rural Victoria
  • are newly arrived, refugees and asylum seekers
  • are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders
  • are culturally diverse
  • have a disability
  • identify as LGBTIQA+
  • face social isolation or disadvantage.

Applications from groups based in regional and rural Victoria are strongly encouraged and will be prioritised.

Project partners

The project partners section is rated at 10 per cent. Applicants must:

• list key partners that will support this project, including:
  • schools
  • community organisations
  • councils
  • businesses

describe the role that each partner will play.

Victorian Youth Fest 2026 funds youth-led activities, events and projects that focus on issues of interest to young people. Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to $2,000.

Examples of previously funded projects include:

• arts-focused:
  • events
  • photography exhibitions
  • mural creations
  • film competitions
• cultural days and community festivals with:
  • live bands
  • stalls
  • activities
• sporting events, such as:
  • soccer tournaments
• competitions, including:
  • skate
  • BMX
  • basketball
• workshops and forums that focus on issues that concern young people, including:
  • body image
  • diversity and inclusion
  • mental health
  • cultural respect
  • the environment.

From 1 January 2025, organisations that are not registered for GST can use grant funds to cover the cost of GST from goods and services purchased with DFFH grant funds. More information, including what this means for your grant application, is available on the Grants Gateway.

Victorian Youth Fest 2026 grants will not fund:

• projects that are not youth-focused or youth-led
• organisations that have failed to complete any previous projects funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, without sufficient cause
• activities that are the primary focus of other Victorian Government programs
• projects that are already fully funded
• funding for projects that have already started or been completed, including:
  • any activity undertaken before notification of an application outcome
• significant funding for equipment
• requests to purchase, maintain or upgrade facilities or equipment
• requests for salary subsidies
• projects, activities or travel outside Victoria
• funding for people or organisations from interstate or overseas to visit Victoria
• party political activities
• gambling or alcohol related expenses
• non-project related administration costs.

If you’re not sure if your proposed event is eligible for funding, email the Office for Youth: youthweek.fv@dffh.vic.gov.au.

Funding agreements

If successful, you must enter into a Victorian Common Funding Agreement (VCFA) with the department within 2 weeks of receipt of the documentation. If you do not accept the funding offer during this period, the department may withdraw it.

The VCFA outlines:

• the grant’s terms and conditions, including use of funds
• key deliverables and due dates
• reporting requirements.

Program requirements

Organisations applying for a $2,000 grant need to outline other contributions for the proposed project, such as financial and in-kind support.

The following conditions will apply to all projects that receive a grant:

• Any variation to the approved project must be submitted to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing for approval, before starting the project.
• All projects must:
  • be accessible to young people aged 12 to 25, in their local community
  • take place in Victoria during Victorian Youth Fest in September 2026
  • be alcohol, smoke and drug-free, and be fully supervised
  • provide safe and secure environments for young people
  • be covered by all appropriate insurance, including public liability insurance.
• All publicity, promotional material and signage relating to the project must prominently display the Victorian Youth Fest and Victorian Government logos.
• All promotional material and publicity generated by the funded organisation relating to the project must include the following acknowledgement:
  • ‘This event is supported by the Victorian Government’.
• Grant recipients must submit event details to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing by July 2026.
• Grant recipients must complete a Victorian Youth Fest 2026 report that includes media related to their project, event or activity, such as:
  • photographs
  • films
  • mixed media artwork.
• All staff and people aged 18 and over, who come into regular, direct and unsupervised contact with young people and are involved in program delivery (for applicable projects), will need to hold current Working With Children Checks.
• Grant recipients must have appropriate policies and processes in place that follow the Victorian Child Safe Standards. This includes changes that came into effect from 1 July 2022. For more information, see New Child Safe Standards start in Victoria on 1 July 2022 to better protect children.

Payment of grant funds and reporting requirements

Funded organisations will:

• be paid in advance of agreed project milestones and deliverables outlined in the Funding Agreement
• submit a final report including a project acquittal and evidence of project outcomes at the end of the activities.

Funds must go to the project as described in the VCFA. Any unspent funds must go back to the department.

Goods and services tax (GST)

• GST is paid if the grant is funding a good or service, and if the recipient organisation is registered for GST.
• GST is not paid if the recipient organisation is not registered for GST.
• GST is not paid if the recipient organisation is a government entity (e.g., school, local council).

GST is not paid if the grant is not funding a good and/or service.