Visa Vibe Grants Program Supports Innovative Night-Time Economy Projects (Australia)

The program focuses on driving inclusive and measurable impact by funding projects with clear outcomes for local vibrancy, safety, and economic participation, prioritising initiatives that demonstrate legacy, continuation, or capacity-building beyond the grant period. It champions Gen Z and emerging demographics by supporting experiences that respond to evolving preferences for social, creative, and community-based night-time activity beyond traditional hospitality. The program advances safety, affordability, and accessibility by encouraging practical solutions that reduce barriers to participation after dark, and promotes safe, weather-safe, and climate-responsive night-time experiences. It empowers diverse night-time economy leaders by backing small businesses, creatives, precinct organisations, and changemakers across metro and regional contexts, fosters innovation and vibrancy through new formats such as night markets, festivals, cultural activations, retail-led experiences, and community events, and amplifies success stories and sector leadership by capturing case studies that strengthen national advocacy for the night-time economy. The program also strengthens governance, transparency, and government engagement with robust assessment, reporting, and financial controls, and promotes community engagement and local partnerships by encouraging collaboration with councils, precinct bodies, and community organisations.

The Visa Vibe Grants Program will award eight grants of $25,000 each (excluding GST), with one grant available in every Australian state and territory. Projects should be delivered between 1 June and 30 August 2026 and can take various forms, including night markets, festivals, creative and cultural activations, safety and accessibility improvements, affordable and accessible night-time experiences, retail and hospitality activations, precinct-wide or collaborative initiatives, and innovation pilots or scalable concepts. Eligible applicants include small businesses, creative enterprises, precinct/trader/business associations, and social enterprises or not-for-profits with a valid ABN, delivering projects within one of the eight states or territories. Projects from under-represented communities or those demonstrating collaboration with councils, precincts, or local partners are strongly encouraged.

The program seeks projects that improve safety, affordability, and accessibility after dark, champion Gen Z and emerging demographics, foster innovation and vibrancy in the night-time economy, create measurable impact and legacy beyond the grant period, and strengthen partnerships and place-based outcomes. Applicants are encouraged to present initiatives that can be repeated, scaled, or adapted for long-term community benefit.

For more information, visit Mainstreet Australia.