Economic Activation and Event grants

Applications for the 2024-25 Economic Activation and Event Grants program closed in August, with five successful grant proposals endorsed by Council on 16 September. More information about each of the proposed activations will be outlined in detail on this page over the coming months.

Events, public programming, activations and local businesses have an important role in shaping the unique experiences and character of places, attracting people to activity centres and creating a vibrant destination for all. Our Economic Activation and Event Grants program reflects the City of Stonnington's vision to be a vibrant, creative city that enhances its thriving and unique places and delivers positive economic, community and sustainability impacts for our communities.


This years' successful applicants will benefit from a pool of up to $100,000 to deliver a wide range of unique experiences, entertainment, and events to activate commercial precincts in the City of Stonnington. Please check in again in November to follow the applicant's projects.

Full information on the Grants program, including terms and conditions, can be found in the Economic Activation and Event Grants Guidelines 2024-25(PDF, 4MB)   

Grant objectives

Objectives

The Economic Activation and Event Grants program supports local businesses, organisations and individuals to deliver innovative, creative and interactive activations and experiences and test new ideas in our outdoor public spaces within our activity centres.

The grant supports projects that meet the following objectives and priorities outlined in the Council Plan and its connecting Place-Led Economic Development (PLED) Strategy.

The following key objectives have been identified as priorities:

  • increase visitation to our outdoor public places
  • increase economic activity in our municipality
  • improve place perceptions and experience
  • grow the local economy.

The Economic Activation and Events Grants program seeks to fund precinct events and activation projects that:

  • act as a drawcard to encourage visitation and awareness of the City of Stonnington's commercial precincts
  • provide direct economic benefit to the local businesses within the precincts
  • are interactive and showcase local stories and culture
  • respond to the specific place add activity and interest to the streetscape and the public realm
  • encourage sustainable practices and active transport usage
  • engage or collaborate with local communities to encourage greater connection to and pride in the precinct
  • support projects that reflect and provide opportunities for the diverse communities of the City of Stonnington’s precincts
  • provide economic benefit to traders within the precinct
  • increase pedestrian foot traffic and dwell time.

For more information, view the Business Support and Activation Policy(PDF, 1MB).

City of Stonnington precincts

The City of Stonnington is located in Melbourne's inner southeast, alongside the Yarra River. It includes the suburbs of:

  • Armadale
  • Kooyong
  • Malvern
  • Malvern East
  • Prahran
  • Toorak
  • parts of Glen Iris
  • South Yarra
  • Windsor.

The municipality has a range of precincts that include clusters of local shops to renowned high streets and Australia's largest shopping centre, Chadstone. The precinct activity centres play a significant role in the liveability and character of Stonnington by providing places for socialising, working, shopping and living.

Each of Stonnington's activity centres has its own economic, community and environmental role depending on its size and position and can be categorised in the hierarchy as outlined below.

  • Stonnington's larger activity centres: predominately located in the western half of the municipality, have a broader economic role, attracting visitors from within and beyond Stonnington.
  • Stonnington's smaller neighbourhood activity centres: predominately located in the eastern half of the municipality, serving a local population and providing day-to-day services for residents and workers.
  • Chadstone Shopping Centre: a major hard-top activity centre and a key driver of Stonnington's visitor economy.

All activations must be delivered in one or more of our precincts. Applicants are encouraged to consider minor as well as major precincts. For indoor activations, visit our venue hire options.

Activations site map

Download the site map(PDF, 329KB) . For best results, open on desktop.

About the program

The City of Stonnington’s Economic Activation and Event Grants program aims to support creative, innovative, dynamic and contemporary activation projects that are place specific, with the intention to provide economic benefit to local businesses, while enhancing the character of the precinct.

What will be funded

Grants of up to $20,000 are available to support:

  • businesses or registered not-for-profits that implement free public and accessible event and activation initiatives that will improve public realm experiences and drive visitation to the City of Stonnington.
  • events or activations that are free to the public and accessible to people of all abilities.
  • events or activations that are delivered within the program timeline: November 2024 - mid-June 2025.
  • events or activations that take place across more than one City of Stonnington precinct or area are especially encouraged.
  • events or activations that may be proposed in both indoor and outdoor Council-owned assets, within our commercial precincts.

For the purposes of the City of Stonnington Economic Activation and Event Grants program, an event or activation is defined as an interactive activity that grows visitation, interaction with the local businesses, and increases dwell time and spend within a precinct. It can include a temporary static exhibit or installation.

The event or activation must be temporary in nature and not alter or permanently change the infrastructure within the precinct.

What will not be funded

  • Projects taking place outside commercial precincts within the City of Stonnington.
  • Projects that do not occur within the grant period November 2024 - mid-June 2025.
  • Projects that rely solely on the City of Stonnington for funding (e.g. applicants can only apply for up to 80% of total project costs).
  • Projects that are designed to attract visitation to a single business within a precinct rather than attracting visitation to the broader precinct, or that are on private property.
  • Proposals for activities such as private functions, dinners and receptions, promotional opportunities or commercial brand activations.
  • Events or activations held purely online.
  • Activations that are closed to the public or where attendance is by invitation or membership only.
  • Projects that have detrimental environmental impact or produce large quantities of waste.
  • Structures requiring pegging/digging into ground – Council will only consider weighted temporary structures with the ability to provide proof of safety specifications.

Examples of events and activations that can be considered as part of the Economic Activation and Event Grants program include, but are not limited to:

  • small, medium and large events
  • festivals
  • markets
  • fairs, expos and exhibitions
  • pop-ups
  • street performances
  • temporary public art installations
  • creative lighting installations
  • health and wellbeing activations
  • night-time activations.

Examples of activation concepts

Examples of activation concepts that can be considered as part of this program include but are not limited to:

  • precinct-specific public exhibitions or performances
  • temporary public art installations
  • creative lighting installations and projections
  • temporary public urban garden initiatives
  • interactive sustainable initiatives
  • community health and wellbeing activities
  • outdoor intergenerational activities and games
  • experimental participatory art projects with community involvement
  • experimental projects in the public realm that lead visitors through a precinct, such as augmented reality trails.

 

Contribution

The maximum contribution offered by the City of Stonnington for each event or activation concept is up to $20,000 (including GST). Applicants are expected to make a financial or in-kind contribution of a minimum of 20% of the total project budget to their proposed project, in addition to the funds received from the City of Stonnington.

The City of Stonnington contribution will not cover:

  • ongoing operating or general maintenance costs such as staff wages, salaries and remuneration, rent, utilities bills, administration overheads, stock and personal expenditure
  • expenditure incurred prior to the program open date.

 

Successful grant recipients 2024-25

2024 East Malvern Food and Wine Festival

Project: 2024 East Malvern Food and Wine Festival
Activation: Event by Margot Natoli Project Management Pty Ltd
Location: Central Park, East Malvern
Date: Sunday 17 November 2024
Funding amount: part-funding - $6000

The 7th annual East Malvern Food & Wine Festival returns in 2024, celebrating Victorian wineries, local brewers, and distillers alongside Stonnington businesses. This FREE event invites all ages to enjoy local produce in a historical park setting with family, friends, and furry companions. Live pop-up musical performances across the day.

East Malvern Food and Wine festival spread

3 x 3 Basketball

Project: 3 x 3 Basketball
Activation: Community sport by Naarm 3 x 3
Location: Princes Gardens, Prahran
Date: February 2025
Funding amount: part-funding - $15,000

Aspiring youth and junior players will be able to learn from some of the best 3 x 3 basketball players in the country, at the new basketball court at Princes Gardens. Five FREE 3 x 3 basketball clinics will be hosted by elite players and coaches, which will culminate in a tournament endorsed as an official pathway to the professional FIBA tour.

2024 Christmas Festival

Project: 2024 Christmas Festival
Activation: Festival by Inspired By Kids Photography Pty Ltd
Location: Darling Village, East Malvern
Date: December 2024
Funding amount: part-funding - $20,000

During December 2024, the popular Darling Village in East Malvern, will be a Christmas themed destination for locals to enjoy. Local businesses will deck their shops with Christmas cheer and local carolers and activities will entertain visitors. Santa will make his way to Darling Village for photos.

2025 Satay Festival

Project: Satay Festival
Activation: Food festival by Perwira Perhimpunan Warga Indonesia Di Victoria Inc.
Location: Prahran Square
Date: February 2025
Funding amount: part-funding - $10,000

The annual Satay Festival will take place in the heart of Prahran, where visitors can enjoy the many varieties and deliciousness of satay as well as learn about Indonesian culture.

Pollinator Palooza

Project: Pollinator Palooza
Activation: Workshops and activities by Friends With Honey
Location: Prahran Square
Date: April 2025
Funding amount: part-funding - $15,000

Pollinator Palooza will include a week-long celebration of bee-themed activities and workshops for the whole community! Sing, dance, and learn all about our friends the bees. Create your own native bee hotel, sample delicious honey, and discover how to dance like a bee. The event will conclude with the Friends with Honey Musical Kids Show, a captivating 45-minute performance. Whether you're a fan of bees, a wildlife lover, or simply eager to learn, the Pollinator Palooza will offer valuable knowledge, fun, and inspiration for all.

 

 Learn more about the projects delivered by our 2023-24 grant recipients

Five successful applicants from diverse backgrounds benefited last year from a pool of $150,000 to deliver a wide range of unique community and public activations as part of the 2023-24 Activation Grants program.

Glenferrie Road Malvern Business Association

Project: Malvern's season of celebration
Activation: End of year festivities
Location: Malvern
Date: 1 to 24 December 2023
Funding amount: full funding

The Glenferrie Road Malvern Business Association (GRMBA) is a committed group of Malvern business operators working on behalf of the community to ensure the continued success of the precinct.

Glenferrie Road Malvern is one of Melbourne's oldest strip shopping precincts with an abundance of choice with more than 400 shops, restaurants, cafes and services available on Glenferrie Road and adjacent streets.

Elves on Glenferrie

 

 

Wings of Wonder

Project: Wings of Wonder
Activation: Art installation with live painting
Location: Prahran Square and Rockley Gardens
Date: 6 February to 1 May 2024
Funding amount: full funding

Josh Deane Gower is an emerging Indigenous contemporary artist from Naarm/Melbourne, Victoria. With a profound connection to his personal experiences, ancestors, and cultural heritage, Josh's contemporary art inspires and preserves the land.

Drawing inspiration from Australia's biodiversity, his artwork captures the beauty and significance of native flora and fauna. Through meticulous craftsmanship, he creates pieces that deeply resonate with viewers. Using various mediums, including photography, film, audio, hand-painted artworks, sculpture, and clothing, Josh brings his artistic vision to life.

Beyond his art, he actively engages with the Indigenous community, collaborating with renowned brands, creating murals, and showcasing his work at events.

Wings of Wonder cube

 

BioRhythm

Project: BioRhythm
Activation: Live sound and light plant sculpture
Location: Grattan Gardens
Date: 17 April - July 2024
Funding amount: full funding

BioRhythm is a collaborative and immersive place-making project presented by Buko Studio and Public Street.

Buko Studio is an experimental design studio run by Chris Nichols. The studio endeavours to create spaces of sensory experience and social connection by blending emerging technologies with visual arts to transform everyday realities into the surreal and mystical.

Public Street, founded and directed by Rachel Iampolski, is a cross-disciplinary, collaborative, tactical urbanism platform that engages with, and aims to subvert how we conceptualise public space.

By exploring the potential of the public realm and threshold spaces, the placemaking practice focuses on play and democratisation of public space.

BioRhythm activation

 

Workshops in the Wild

Project: Workshops in the Wild
Activation: Outdoor art workshops
Location: Grattan Gardens, Rockley Gardens and Central Park
Date: 7 February to 23 June 2024
Funding amount: full funding

The Windsor Workshop (TWW) creates community through the gathering of people – providing a space where celebration, learning, making, creating, and inspiration thrive. A vibrant hub for the arts, crafts, and design movement, they curate a diverse range of workshops and events that inspire individuals to unleash their creativity.

With each meticulously crafted experience, they encourage participants to slow down, indulge in the joy of creating, and find mindfulness in the process. Their events have become a sanctuary for those seeking an escape from the fast-paced world, a place where connections are forged and ideas are born.

Participants of Workshops in the Wild

 

Share & Swap Shop

Project: Share & Swap Shop
Activation: Pre-loved share and swap workshops
Location: Winter Street Park and Rockley Gardens
Date: 20 January to 4 May 2024
Funding amount: full funding

Share & Swap Shop is a community-driven event model in the form of a pop-up shop that fosters neighbourhood connections by facilitating item sharing, encouraging sustainability practices and fostering inclusivity. At its core, the Share and Swap Shop provides a physical presence in the form of a pop-up shop, where individuals can exchange items they no longer need, fostering a spirit of collaboration and mutual support.

This initiative addresses both social and environmental concerns, offering a space for community members to interact, engage, and establish meaningful connections.

Share and Swap Shop