2024 NHVic Award Winners
Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre
The Climate Voices Advocacy and Leadership Program has empowered 20 young adults to become climate advocates. The 10-week program, led by Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre and in partnership with Yarra City Council, provided participants with the skills to create systemic change.
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Through expert guest speakers, workshops, and hands-on projects, participants learnt to develop and lead impactful climate campaigns. The program emphasised inclusivity, with particular encouragement for applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
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The second program will work with people with disability and the third people from other at-risk population groups.
Pangerang Community Hub
Pangerang Community Hub successfully secured $542,000 to launch Victoria’s first ‘Neighbourhood House on Wheels,’ an innovative two-year initiative funded by the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant. The Mobile Hub - fitted out with essential resources, technology and equipment - worked with rural communities to develop and deliver over 95 activities throughout the region that fostered connection and resilience. With strong collaboration with local government and emergency services, the Hub is now integral to future evacuation plans.
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​The Mobile Hub project explores a different delivery model for Neighbourhood Houses by breaking down barriers to participation. It supports community resilience and demonstrates the role of Neighbourhood Houses in the space of emergency response and recovery.
Taylors Hill Youth & Community Centre
The Women in Business & Entrepreneurship Project (WIBE) contributed to addressing gender inequality amongst Indian women in the City of Melton through the key areas of economic empowerment, education, social connection and wellbeing.
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​ ​The WIBE Project supported local women led businesses and entrepreneurs to start, grow, connect and thrive. The project achieved this through three focus areas:
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​the delivery of workshops led by local women for local women
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​business coaching
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​education and training support
Lalor Neighbourhood House
Lalor Refresh brings people from diverse backgrounds and abilities together to participate in arts, permaculture, preserving, crafts and other creative industries. They are transforming a neglected Lalor Laneway, connecting a Library, Senior’s Centre and Neighbourhood House into an Arts, Garden & creative industries precinct. The project is strength-based, using participatory decision-making principles.
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People of all backgrounds and abilities find purpose, social connection, skills development, shared leadership as everyone drives the project design together.
Activities are responsive and often spontaneous, as group members inspire each other, share new skills; create inspirational art, gardens, community lunches and our new social enterprise.
Wyndham Community and Education Centre
Diverse Horizons was a collaboration with the local soccer club, providing community support for South Sudanese young people at risk of school disengagement (Junubi) and the diverse communities from Burma.
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The project engaged young people in a leadership program where they received information about education pathways, employment opportunities, learn about leadership skills and planned a few events with the support of the staff, including an activity course, a friendly soccer game and a wrap up session.
Banksia Gardens Community Services
The Banksia Gardens Social Enterprise Hub combines sustainable practices with skill-building opportunities to meet pressing community needs in Hume, particularly those experiencing disadvantage.
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Through four social enterprises - Common Bean Cafes, Broady Bikes, Common Green, and Naughty Broady - they empower local residents and young people with job skills, create pathways to employment, and foster sustainable living.
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Each enterprise addresses unique challenges: nutritious food access, sustainable transportation, green spaces, and youth entrepreneurship. Together, these ventures form a supportive ecosystem that promotes community resilience, inclusion, and economic growth—bringing social, environmental, and economic benefits to their community.
