Regional Activation Program
"Fourteen and Nine Months" 2024-2025 Photo by Laura Jane Turner
The Regional Activation Program (RAP) is part of Victoria’s Pride, a Victorian Government initiative delivered by Midsumma that supports LGBTQIA+ communities across the state.
Victoria’s Pride is an annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, visibility, and connection, delivered through a diverse program of events and projects throughout Victoria.
RAP enables arts, cultural, and community projects led by regional artists, groups, and organisations, helping create vibrant and inclusive experiences for LGBTQIA+ people across regional and rural Victoria.
KEY INFORMATION
Applications open: 9:00am, 15 June 2026 (AEST)
Applications close: 11:59pm, 3 August 2026 (AEST)
Outcome notification: By 31 August 2026
Eligible project dates: Between 1 November 2026 and 7 February 2027
Support available: Up to $10,000 (ex GST) – larger amounts require pre-approval
INFO SESSION
Join us to learn more about the Regional Activation Program and get support with your application.
Guidelines
Victoria’s Pride, Regional Activation Program (RAP) is open to eligible Victorian-based applicants. Submissions from outside Victoria will not be considered.
You can apply if you are:
- An LGBTQIA+ individual based in Regional, Rural or Remote Victoria
- An LGBTQIA+ individual based in Metro Melbourne, working or delivering activity in Regional, Rural or Remote Victoria
- An LGBTQIA+ organisation, not-for-profit, social enterprise, collective or peak community body based in Regional, Rural or Remote Victoria
- An LGBTQIA+ organisation, not-for-profit, social enterprise, collective or peak community body based in Metro Melbourne, delivering activity in Regional, Rural or Remote Victoria
We welcome applications from LGBTQIA+ people across all backgrounds. Applications are considered without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ability or age.
We particularly encourage applications that are led by and designed for LGBTQIA+ communities who are often underrepresented, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, disabled and neurodiverse communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people of diverse sex characteristics and identities.
Before applying, please read the full Guidelines and FAQs on this website to ensure your project is eligible. If you would like to discuss your application before submitting, please contact us at [email protected] or phone on 03 9296 6600.
You can prepare your application by downloading the following resources:
- Draft Application Form (PDF) – preview the questions you will be asked in the online application form.
- Budget Template – use this template to prepare your project budget.
When you are ready to apply, complete and submit the online application form using the Apply Now button on this page.
Supporting Documents
The following documents must be included with your application:
- Two letters of support from members of your community/communities.
- A project budget (maximum one page, excluding GST).
- Links to relevant support material, such as photos, videos, websites, examples of previous work, mood boards, or similar project concepts.
- Please upload a high-resolution photo of the artist/s involved in the project for potential marketing and promotional use if your application is successful. Professional photography is not required, but clear, high-quality images are preferred. Landscape orientation is recommended to allow for flexible cropping across marketing materials.
Applications submitted without the required supporting documents may not be considered.
We welcome a broad range of arts, cultural, and community-led projects, including:
- Visual arts commissions and exhibitions
- Documentary and short film projects
- Music recordings, performances, and music videos
- Podcasts, publishing, and zine-making
- Live performances, comedy, panels, and creative events
- Community storytelling and oral history projects
- Workshops, creative development, and participatory activities
- Cross-disciplinary and experimental creative projects
We’re open to creative projects and approaches across all artforms, including ideas we haven’t imagined yet.
Program Objectives
RAP aims to enhance the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals in regional areas through arts and cultural activities celebrating Victoria's diverse LGBTQIA+ Pride statewide.
Projects must align with one or more objectives:
- Highlight LGBTQIA+ challenges and opportunities
- Showcase regional LGBTQIA+ artists
- Capture LGBTQIA+ voices and stories
- Celebrate or commemorate LGBTQIA+ moments
- Enable regional LGBTQIA+ participation in Victoria’s Pride celebrations
- Promote inclusion across cultures and generations
- Applicants are also encouraged to consider accessibility in order to facilitate true multi-generational and intersectional inclusion through celebration and/or reflection.
- Personal living expenses
- Replication of previous events without explanation of growth, refinement, or response to community feedback
- Expenses not related to the activity outlined in the application
- Activities not directly related to or supporting an LGBTQIA+ activity or engagement
- Activities conducted outside Regional and/or Remote Victoria
- Retrospective funding for activities that have already started or been completed
- Rainbow Tick accreditation or LGBTQIA+ competency activities
- Competitions, commercial (for-profit) or direct fundraising activities or events
- Direct lobbying or activities that promote or are held for party political purposes
- Permanent or contracted staff positions or administrative costs for business-as-usual activities
- Capital expenditure (including construction, refurbishment and renovations)
- Costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation
- Debt repayments
Can I request less than $10,000?
Project support requests may be smaller than the advertised $10,000 (excluding GST), if you need less, ask for less. Larger amounts will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Are auspicing arrangements allowed?
Auspicing arrangements are welcome where needed.
Can metro-based applicants apply?
Metro-based applicants are eligible if they are working meaningfully with regional communities.
Do I have to be a new applicant to apply?
New and returning applicants are encouraged to apply.
For a printable version of the full Frequently Asked Questions.
Download Full FAQS (PDF)
If the application form is not accessible for you, or you would prefer to communicate another way, please contact us via email at [email protected] or phone on 03 9296 6600.
We can support applications and enquiries through:
- Voice memo
- Zoom meeting (in English or Auslan)
- Auslan video
All applications must be submitted online unless an alternative process has been approved by the Midsumma Community Engagement Manager prior to the closing date.
Victoria’s Pride and Midsumma collect your personal information for the purposes of managing your application and contacting you if successful. You can view Midsumma Festival’s privacy statement here.
RAP Previous Years
To get inspired for a future project, take a look at the previous projects we've supported through this program.
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What is Victoria's Pride?
A landmark program of pride events and projects held in summer as part of a statewide celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities. Victoria’s Pride (previously Melbourne Pride) is held across the state from December to February, with events in regional and rural areas. The tour of state-wide events culminates into a full-day and night street party in Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct one week after the annual Midsumma Pride March.
Victoria's Pride Street Party
Sunday 7 February 2027
Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith Streets is transformed into an extravagant street party – with two live music stages and performances from musicians and artists – to celebrate Victoria’s diverse LGBTQIA+ communities.
