Heart-healthy neighbourhood action labs

Heart healthy neighbourhood action labs are a Heart Foundation initiative to inspire, empower and mobilise local communities for practical, action-focused local outcomes. The labs are supported through workshops, Healthy Active by Design tools, small seed funding, and a research/evaluation component to scale-up.

Key dates:

Community workshops: Feb 2027
Funding applications open: 1 March 2027
Applications close: 25 March 2027
Successful applicants notified: mid-April 2027
Project delivery: June - Dec 2027

Community workshops

We're conducting workshops in participating council regions in February. Funding applications will open in March. We would love for you to join our community workshop, whether you intend to apply for funding or just want to know more about heart healthy neighbourhoods, and share your experience and ideas. You’ll gain the tools, confidence and connections to create meaningful change in your community; and to have positive, collaborative conversations with your local council.

TBD, Vic

Wed 11 Feb 6:30-8:30pm
Venue TBD

Somerset, Tas.

Join either: Tues 16 Feb 6:30-8:30pm or Wed 17 Feb 9:30-11:30am
you only need to attend one workshop, not both
Both will be held at the Somerset Surf Life Saving Club

WA DATE | Time | Venue

Session outline:

Overview on neighbourhood design and heart health
Including the role of social fabric and green urban infrastructure
Heart Foundation resources to help you advocate and take action for healthy neighbourhood outcomes
Share your local neighbourhood experience through a solutions-focused group brainstorming activity
Turn the above ideas into practical outcomes through community grant funding - how to apply
Light snacks, tea and coffee will be provided

Project funding

What is the grant for?

We're interested in projects that provide opportunities to reimagine local neighbourhoods as places for:

communities to connect (social fabric/social infrastructure)
urban nature (green infrastructure).

Social fabric and green infrastructure can help improve heart-health in many ways. You can find out more about these topics and their relationship with heart health:

Whether you’ve already got an idea in mind, are involved in an existing project, part of an organisation, a local business owner or an individual who’s passionate about your local area, we want to hear from you!

The following resources can help inspire project ideas:

Take Local Action, Heart Foundation
50 Quick Wins Guide, and the Book of Doing, Doing Co
Street Remix Guide, RACWA

Please note - These documents provide guidance only.

Not all projects identified in these guides are suitable for action lab funding.

Community Gardens Australia can help support applications for community gardens and related green infrastructure.

Who can apply?

Project funding is open to people who live in Somerset, Tasmania and XXX Vic, and XXX Western Australia and who:

want to improve their local area
can identify project opportunities using the Heart Foundation’s Community Walkability Checklist
want to receive up to $7,000 to bring a neighbourhood improvement idea to life
can build a strong relationship with the local council
can help inspire others for neighbourhood improvements.

APPLY NOW

n.b - applications will open Monday 1 March 2027

Application requirements

All applicants must agree to the Heart Foundation’s Funding Application Terms and Conditions including Privacy Collection Notice. All applicants must also review the Successful Offer and Agreement Template prior to applying.

What happens after you apply?

Applications will be assessed after the closing date against the program criteria contained in the application form
Successful applicants will be notified during the week beginning 15 April and will be required to deliver their project within the agreed timeframe.
Successful applicants will receive funding to deliver their project and will be required to submit a short final report outlining outcomes and expenditure

Evaluation

We're collaborating with researchers from the University of Tasmania Menzies Centre for Medical Research to conduct evaluation of this program. Funding applicants may be contacted to share feedback.

Have a question? Email us: HealthyActivebyDesign@heartfoundation.org.au

Local council collaboration

Your local council is a key supporter and collaborator for this initiative. Council staff will help judge project applications. We encourage you to seek Council support ahead of lodging your application.