Regional Activation Program - Victoria's Pride

Step 1 - Read the Guidelines, FAQs  to ensure your organisation and project are eligible.

Step 2- Consider the assessment criteria in terms of your project.

Step 3 – Attend an information session on Tuesday, 17 June 2025 or Friday, 11 July 2025.

Step 4 - If you would like to discuss your application, email [email protected]

Step 5 – Seek agreements with participants, request support letters and make arrangements with Auspicing bodies if required

Step 6 - Submit your application by the due date via the online form at the end of this page

Midsumma Community Engagement Manager – [email protected] or on 03 9296 6600

If you have a concept or idea that falls slightly outside of the scope but you believe it to be a meaningful contribution to an event like Victoria’s Pride, please get in touch.

Midsumma seeks to continue to improve the representation and diversity of its Regional Activation Program, and strongly encourages applications from First Nations, gender diverse, and culturally diverse people, as well as a stronger representation of women and people with a disability. Please let us know if there is additional support you need to enquire about the program or to consider submitting your application.

• Delivery of a new or developed event or community engagement activity showcasing your community and its unique pride history, stories and/or experiences.
• Creation of an artwork, digital masterpiece or installation highlighting yours or your community’s unique history and relationship with Pride
• The capture, recording or publication of a story, interview, performance or podcast. Recognising the value and importance of creating permanent and tenable records of LGBTQIA+ history.

Successful applicants must complete or deliver their projects on or before Sunday 8 February 2026 as part of the state-wide Victoria's Pride project, when a major street party will occur in Fitzroy/Collingwood on the final day of Midsumma Festival 2026.

Metro applicants must take their touring project or engagement activity to multiple regional communities and be open to negotiations regarding location to ensure currently underserved communities are included.

• Personal living expenses
• Replication of previous events with no explanation of growth, refinement or responding to community feedback
• Expenses not related to the activity outlined in 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 have 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 purpose
• Permanent or contracted staff positions or administrative costs for business-as-usual activities
• Capital expenditure (including construction/capital works, refurbishment and renovations)
• Costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation
• Debt repayments

Download an example PDF of the application form >>

• What are you going to do and who in the LGBTQIA+ community will your project involve? How many people will actively participate?

  Midsumma champions intersectionality and multi-generational projects. Are you targeting one particular section? Are you looking at intersectionalities?
  
  

• How does your project, event, or outcome respond to the theme of “What does Pride mean to you?” or give safe spaces for others to express or explore “What Pride means to them?”

  This could be as an individual or as a community.
  
  

• Describe how your project will foster enduring understanding, partnerships, and collaboration across organisations and collectives within your community.

  Will you partner with other LGBTQIA+ or allied organisations? Will partnerships or collaborations involve donations or in-kind support to enhance your project?
  
  

• How can your project have a lasting outcome?

  This could be a physical sculpture or art piece, a book, video, audio recording, or photographs. Or this could be establishing a recurring engagement opportunity.
  
  

• What elements of accessibility will be included in your planning?

  Will your live or broadcast event have an Auslan interpreter? Will your performance be audio described? Will you make accommodations for those with physical access requirements? Will your event be free to attend?
  
  

• How will you measure success?

  What does success look like for your project? Will you be seeking survey responses and anecdotal feedback from participants?
  
  

• Have you thought about how your project and community could interact with Victoria’s Pride Street Party?

  There may be an opportunity to take part in the program's closing event - Victoria's Pride Street Party, which takes place in Melbourne's inner north. Participation could include an exhibition, a stage or street performance, collaboration with a local business, operation of a market stall, or attendance through hired transport to bring your community to the event.

1. 2 x support letters from other members of your community(s)

2. A project budget (no more than one page – see example/template here). This budget must be excluding GST

3. Links to photos, websites or videos of similar projects, mood board or other support material 

Of the Successful Applicant

• Full Coordination of the event, activity or outcome
• Communication and permission sought for significant project changes or adaptations
• Adequate record keeping
• Attendance of ALL RAP Catch Ups in lieu of legitimate apology
• Delivery of a financial acquittal and written reflection no later than 14 days after your event, activity or outcome has concluded.
• Completed survey response and acquittal requirement

Of the Midsumma Regional Activation Program

• Providing agreed to funds
• Providing Event branded marketing materials for your use
• Some support to assist in communication and connections between community
• Including your event, activity or outcome on our Midsumma website where appropriate
• Check-ins throughout process to offer logistical support or project management guidance
• Hosting of regular online networking events for the successful applicants

All applications must be submitted online, unless an alternative process has been approved with the Midsumma Community Engagement Manager, prior to the application closing date.

Final applications will be accepted until the deadline in June. These applications will then be reviewed by a panel of staff at Midsumma Festival and graded based on the above criteria.

Feedback may be provided to applicants upon request.

If you need assistance in completing this application or require information in a different format, please contact [email protected] or call 03 9296 6600.

Victoria's Pride and Midsumma collect your personal information in order to fulfill your application for this grant, including contacting you if successful.

See a copy of Midsumma Festival’s privacy statement >>

See the most up-to-date list of FAQs >>

Download an example of the application form >>