Apply for Community Safety Investment Fund 2026-27 (Australia)

Deadline: 11-Sep-2026

The Community Safety Investment Fund Stream 1 Round 2 provides grants of $10,000 to $40,000 to eligible community organisations in New South Wales to deliver locally designed initiatives that prevent youth offending, strengthen families, and improve community safety. The program prioritises culturally responsive approaches, youth resilience, connection to culture, social and emotional wellbeing, and pathways back to education, training, or employment, with particular emphasis on reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal young people in the justice system. What Is the Community Safety Investment Fund? The Community Safety Investment Fund Stream 1 Round 2 is a New South Wales Government funding opportunity supporting community-led solutions to youth offending and local safety challenges. The program recognises that youth offending can be linked to broader social, family, cultural, educational, and economic challenges. It therefore supports projects that address underlying risks while strengthening young people’s relationships with their families and communities. The fund is intended for locally focused initiatives that can improve safety outcomes while building long-term resilience among young people and families. Community Safety Investment Fund Grant Amount Eligible applicants can request funding between:

Minimum grant: $10,000

Maximum grant: $40,000

Currency: Australian dollars (AUD)

Funding level: Per eligible project

Funding can support a range of locally tailored activities designed to engage young people at higher risk of offending and strengthen community safety. What Types of Projects Are Supported? Projects should provide practical, community-led responses to youth offending and related social challenges. Support for young people and families experiencing multiple risks Projects should demonstrate how their activities will contribute to meaningful and sustainable improvements rather than simply providing one-off activities. Key Program Priorities The fund places particular importance on initiatives that address the factors contributing to youth involvement with the justice system. Youth Resilience Projects can help young people develop skills, confidence, relationships, and support networks that reduce vulnerability to offending and other negative outcomes. Connection to Culture Culturally appropriate programs are encouraged, particularly initiatives that strengthen young people’s connection to culture, community, identity, and belonging. Social and Emotional Wellbeing Projects can support young people’s emotional wellbeing and help them develop positive relationships with families, peers, community organisations, and support services. Education, Training and Employment Initiatives may help young people reconnect with education, vocational training, employment opportunities, or other positive pathways. Closing the Gap The program has a strong focus on the NSW Government’s Closing the Gap priorities, including efforts to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal young people in the criminal justice system by 2031. Projects developed or delivered by Aboriginal organisations and those incorporating culturally appropriate approaches may therefore be particularly relevant to the program’s objectives. Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicants must meet the program’s organisational and compliance requirements. Projects should explain not only what activities will be delivered, but also how those activities will reduce risks, strengthen protective factors, and improve outcomes for young people and communities. How to Apply Applicants should prepare their application around the fund’s objectives and eligibility requirements.

Step 1: Confirm organisational eligibility

Check that the organisation is an eligible Australian entity and has the required ABN, Australian bank account, insurance, and compliance documentation.

Step 2: Identify the local community safety problem

Clearly define the youth offending, family, social, cultural, or community safety issue the project will address. Use available local evidence, community consultation, organisational experience, or other relevant information to demonstrate the need.

Step 3: Define the target group

Identify the young people, families, or communities that will benefit. Explain why the proposed population requires targeted support and how the project will reach participants.

Step 4: Design the project activities

Develop practical activities that directly address the identified risks and needs. Activities may include youth development, cultural programs, mentoring, family support, wellbeing initiatives, education engagement, employment pathways, or community participation.

Step 5: Establish measurable outcomes

Define realistic outcomes that can demonstrate progress. Reduced risk factors associated with youth offending

Step 6: Prepare the budget

Develop a realistic budget between $10,000 and $40,000. Costs should directly support project delivery and represent good value for money.

Step 7: Submit the application

Complete the required application and provide all supporting documentation requested by the NSW Government. Applicants should ensure that information is accurate, consistent, and supported by appropriate evidence before submission. Why This Grant Matters Youth offending is often connected to broader challenges involving family relationships, social exclusion, wellbeing, education, employment, cultural connection, and community disadvantage. The Community Safety Investment Fund takes a prevention-focused and community-led approach. Instead of concentrating only on justice-system responses, it supports initiatives that address underlying risks and strengthen protective factors. The program is also important for Aboriginal communities because it supports the broader objective of reducing the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal young people in the criminal justice system. Tips for a Strong Application Applican