About the program
The Free from Violence Local Government Program 2022-2025 (the program) will provide funding for up to 15 metropolitan, regional and rural councils for a three-year period through a co-contribution model, to support the implementation of The Local Government Guide for Preventing Family Violence and All Forms of Violence Against Women (the Guide).
The Guide will be formally launched in mid-2022, however a draft version will be available for all applicants for reference when accessing the application portal.For further information on the program please see the Program Guidelines and Q&A.
Successful recipients
The following 15 councils will receive funding under the Free From Violence Local Government Program 2022-25:
| Council | Council | Council |
|---|---|---|
| Bass Coast Shire Council | City of Melton | Monash City Council |
| Brimbank City Council | Hume City Council | Murrindindi Shire Council |
| City of Casey | Maroondah City Council | Northen Grampians Shire Council |
| City of Greater Bendigo | Mildura Rural City Council | Rural City of Wangaratta |
| City of Melbourne | Mitchell Shire Council | Yarra Ranges City Council |
For more information, please email freefromviolence@dffh.vic.gov.au.
The program, to be delivered from May 2022 to May 2025, aims to:
- Increase awareness and understanding across Victorian councils of the drivers of family violence and all forms of violence against women, and how to stop this violence before it starts in Victorian communities.
- Support Victorian councils to promote positive attitudes, behaviour and culture change in their workplace and through the programs and services they deliver, to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women.
- Test the appropriateness, useability and effectiveness of the Guide as a tool to support councils to implement and embed a whole-of-council approach to preventing family violence and all forms of violence against women.
Up to $270,000 in funding over three years will be provided to successful applicants.
Funding amounts are determined by council classification. Please see the Program Guidelines for funding details, including contributions required from councils.
Activities that could be funded through the Program include:
- Staffing, including hiring new staff or extending the contracted hours of existing staff.
- Activity costs associated with delivering training, workshops, or community events.
- A percentage of overheads associated with implementing activities.
The program is a partnership between the Office for Prevention of Family Violence and Coordination (OPFVC) in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), Local Government Victoria (LGV) in the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR), the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), and Victorian councils.