16 Days of activism 2025

16 Days of activism 2025
The NSW Government is supporting the prevention of Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence (DFSV) at the local level through annual grants to communities across the state.
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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: From $2,500 to $5,000
  • Application opened: 6 August 2025
  • Application closed: 3 September 2025, 5:00 pm

Program objective

There are three key objectives of the 16 Days of Activism Prevention Grant Program:

  1. Increase awareness in the community about the primary prevention of domestic, family violence and sexual violence by tailoring initiatives to address the four gendered drivers of violence outlined in the Change the Story framework by Our Watch.
  2. Reinforce messages about positive behaviours and social norms rejecting violence against women.
  3. Engage local groups, organisations – including men's organisations – and schools in leading efforts for change.

This program is administered by Department of Communities and Justice.

Eligibility

1

Who can apply

To be eligible to apply for the grant program you must be an incorporated entity, or have a member who is a part of

-  Local Domestic and Family Violence Committees in NSW; or

-  Local Domestic Violence Networks in NSW

  • You must have: a formally recognised forum (Committee or Network) with documented terms of reference, where organisations in a local area (government and non-government) are providing services to women and children experiencing domestic, family and/or sexual violence, can discuss issues of concern, and enhance inter-agency responses.
  • A body with membership from both government agencies and non-government organisations.
  • Have members with demonstrated expertise in preventing and/or addressing domestic and family violence.
  • Provide an up-to-date copy of agreed terms of reference (or other relevant operational information) that clearly articulates your commitment to the prevention, early intervention and response to either domestic, family and/or sexual violence.
2

Who the grant is targeted towards

The 16 Days of Activism Prevention grant program is aimed at local communities via:

  • Local Domestic and Family Violence Committees
  • Non-government organisations that are a part of the Local Domestic Violence Networks

This grant is designed to support initiatives with clear and actionable delivery plans across metro, rural and regional NSW that engage a range of different communities and marginalised cohorts during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender - Based Violence campaign running from 25 November to 10 December 2025. 

3

Types of projects funded under this grant

Grant applications must demonstrate how the proposed project will contribute to raising awareness of the prevention of domestic, family violence and sexual violence in your community by meeting at least one of these program objectives, through an initiative that addresses at least one of the four gendered drivers of violence outlined in the Change the Story framework by Our Watch:

  1. The condoning of violence against women.
  2. Men’s control of decision-making and limits to women’s independence in public and private life.
  3. Rigid gender stereotyping and dominant forms of masculinity.
  4. Male peer relations and cultures of masculinity that emphasise aggression, dominance and control.

It is a short-term initiative designed to be delivered during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, running from 25 November to 10 December 2025. All successful initiatives will need to be delivered or targeted at this period of local activism.

4

When the project can start and end

The project should be started by 25 November 2025 and the project must be completed by 10 December 2025.

5

Additional eligibility requirements

The following are mandatory eligibility criteria. 

  • all applicants must have public liability insurance of at least $10 million,
  • all applicants must address the NSW National Redress Scheme sanctions.
  • not have outstanding acquittals with DCJ
  • be an organisation that delivers projects in NSW.

Most recent recipients

All recipients (21)

What your application needs to include

1

Prepare your application with this checklist

It is recommended that the program guidelines are carefully read prior to completing your application in conjunction with the FAQs.

The purpose of the Grant Program Guidelines is to provide potential applicants with information on:

  • the grant program and its intended purpose
  • the application and assessment process
  • how the funds can be used
  • the performance, monitoring and reporting requirements for any entity successful in their grant application.
2

Address the eligibility criteria

Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.

Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.

3

Address the assessment criteria

This is an Open competitive grant program and funding is not guaranteed.  All submitted applications will be assessed against the assessment criteria.

All eligible applications must meet the following assessment criteria to be considered for assessment:

  • Provide a broad outline of your initiative. 
  • Demonstrated ability to meet the eligibility criteria
  • Address this grant program’s purpose and objectives. 
  • Articulate which target group the initiative will address or benefit
  • Demonstrate how you have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience in DFSV primary prevention to complete the project/initiative during the campaign period and within budget.
  • Demonstrate value for money, budget should be clear and cost effective.

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: Delegated, Decision Maker

One stage application process:

Applications will be reviewed by the eligibility team for eligibility and compliance with guidelines and eligible criteria. They will then be subject to the assessment process which will include assessment by the Assessment Team and Assessment Panel.

The Delegated DCJ officer will be the decision-maker. All applicants will be formally notified on whether their application has been successful. It is an applicant’s responsibility to ensure all contact details are up to date.

All applications for grant funding are managed using the SmartyGrants portal.

Anticipated assessment outcome date is 30/10/2025

Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 30/10/2025

Support and contact

DFSVprimaryprevention@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Primary Prevention

Women, Family and Community Safety | Strategy, Policy and Commissioning

Department of Community and Justice 

 

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