Community gardens, a new cricket club kitchen, and upgrades to primary school playgrounds are amongst the latest projects that will receive a boost from the North East Community Fund.
A total of 50 successful applicants have been announced as part of the third round of funding with grants of up to $75,000 to support local events and projects such as art exhibitions, community fetes and festivals, or tree planting and environmental initiatives.
The $10 million program supports projects big and small, focusing on suburbs closest to North East Link construction works.
A new sculpture by First Nations artist Kent Morris will be installed at the entrance of Heide Museum of Modern Art, while a new computer system and digital display board will help the Heidelberg Historical Society, and upgrades to the Watsonia Scout Hall will provide neuro-divergent children with more access to activities.
Almost 150 projects and initiatives have been funded through the first three rounds of funding, including accessibility upgrades, play equipment for toy libraries, gardening workshops, a Watsonia Family Fun Day, cultural camps, upgrades of shared outdoor spaces and scout hall improvements.
Applications for the next round of the North East Community Fund will open next year, and online grant writing workshops will be available to help people and community groups with their submissions.