Community Safety Investment Grant Program - Stream 1

Community Safety Investment Fund aims to provide community organisations opportunities to design and deliver locally focused, community led solutions to prevent or respond to youth offending, strengthen families and improve community safety.

Funding pool of $500,000 (exclusive of GST) - 2025/26.

Stream 1: Up to $40,000 is available for smaller projects that can commence by May 2026 and be completed by 30 May 2027.

Programs and initiatives will contribute to the achievement of objectives:

• Deliver holistic responses that address the underlying needs and risks that contribute to young people’s involvement with the justice system and improve their outcomes.
• Deliver culturally responsive initiatives that build long-term resilience and protective factors, increase connection to culture and improving social and emotional wellbeing for young people and families.
• Deliver programs and initiatives that empower young people and their families to achieve change in the young person's behaviour and safety.
• Support young people and families to re-engage with education, training, or employment.
• Increase community safety through tailored initiatives for high-risk youth.
• Whole of community initiatives that engage young people in pro-social activities.

We are particularly interested in grant applications that align with and help achieve the NSW Government’s Closing the Gap priorities, including:
Target 11: to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal young people in the criminal justice system, so that by 2031, the rate of Aboriginal young people (10-17 years) in detention is reduced by 30 per cent.

This may include (but is not limited to) programs and initiatives that:
• Prevent and respond to youth offending
• Divert young people from court which create positive pathways with communities
• Support young people transitioning from custody back to their community and provide support and opportunities to help them thrive to reduce reoffending.

Create your SmartyFile today to streamline collaboration, simplify grant applications, and securely manage your organisation’s key information. This allows you to safely collaborate and share information with members of your organisation.

How to create a SmartyFile

1. Go to SmartyFile
2. Click “Create an Organisation Profile”
   • You’ll need your ABN (Australia) 
3. Enter Organisation Details
   • Fill in your organisation’s name, contact info, and other required fields.
4. Set Up Your Account
   • Create your user profile with your name and email.
   • Choose a secure password.
5. Verify Your Email
   • Check your inbox and click the verification link to activate your account.
6. Log In and Access Your Dashboard
   • You’ll now see your organisation’s SmartyFile dashboard.

How to share access with colleagues

1. Log in to SmartyFile
2. Go to “Team Members” or “Users” Section
   • This is found in your organisation’s dashboard.
3. Click “Add Team Member”
   • Enter your colleague’s name and email address.
4. Assign a Role
   • Choose a role (e.g., Admin, Editor, Viewer) depending on what access they require.
5. Send Invitation
   • They’ll receive an email with a link to join your organisation’s SmartyFile.
6. They Accept and Join
   • Once they accept, they’ll have access to collaborate on files and forms.

Detailed instructions and Resources are available https://applicanthelp.smartygrants.com.au/smartyfile/

The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

• submission of this application does not guarantee funding will be granted for any project, and the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) expressly reserves its right to accept or reject this application at its discretion;
• it must bear the costs of preparing and submitting this application and the Department does not accept any liability for such costs, whether or not this application is ultimately accepted or rejected; and
• it has read the (add link) Funding Guidelines for the Program and has fully informed itself of the relevant program requirements.

By submitting this application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

• if this project application is successful, the relevant details of the project will be made public, including details such as the names of the organisation (Applicant) and any partnering organisation (state government agency or non-government organisation), project title, project description, location, anticipated time for completion and amount awarded;
• DCJ will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that any information received in or in respect of this application which is clearly marked ‘Commercial-in-confidence’ or ‘Confidential’ is treated as confidential, however, such documents will remain subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act); and
• in some circumstances the DCJ may release information contained in this application form and other relevant information in relation to this application in response to a request lodged under the GIPA Act or otherwise as required or permitted by law.