More Victorian small businesses will have the mental health and wellbeing support they need to succeed and thrive thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s latest investment in business communities.

Minister for Small Business Natalie Suleyman today launched the second round of Mental Wellbeing of Business Communities Grants, providing grants and specialist training for business communities across the state.

Up to 45 eligible business chambers, trader groups and industry associations can access grants of $15,000 as part of the Labor Government’s $28.9 million wellbeing and mental health support for Victorian businesses Initiative, to implement a community-led wellbeing project for their local small businesses.

More than 70 business communities ranging from industry associations, place-based groups, multicultural chambers and more received funding under the first round of the program, delivering unique wellbeing projects that have supported an estimated 11,000 workplaces and 44,000 workers.

Sophia Herrington from the Boort Resource and Information Centre in regional Victoria worked with the community during the first round to develop a voucher program for business owners to have a coffee date at a local café, for café workers to attend the local cinema, encouraging them to take a break and connect with friends and colleagues.

Business groups that apply to Round 2 can nominate up to three representatives to complete one day of free mental health and wellbeing training and they will then receive coaching to develop their funded wellbeing project.

Applications close at midnight on Friday 12 May or when allocations are exhausted, whichever happens first. For more information visit business.vic.gov.au