If you are a small business or community group looking to create a fun night-time event or activation in Narrandera Shire then the Visa Vibe Grants Program might be the right call for you.

This program supports innovative, inclusive, and community-focused night-time economy projects across Australia.

Eight grants of $25,000 each will be awarded to small businesses, creatives, precinct organisations, and social enterprises delivering safe, accessible, and vibrant after-dark experiences between 1 June and 30 August 2026.

The program champions Gen Z and emerging demographics while fostering innovation, inclusivity, and long-term community impact.

Eligible Activities:

• Night markets, festivals, and community events

• Creative, cultural, and precinct activations

• Safety and accessibility enhancements

• Affordable and inclusive night-time experiences

• Retail, hospitality, and collaborative initiatives

• Innovation pilots and scalable concepts.

Visa Vibe grants program has opened applications for its $200,000 night-time economy grants program

The national initiative backs the small businesses at the heart of Australia’s night-time economy, helping create safe, affordable, inclusive and innovative experiences after dark.

The program will award eight $25,000 AUD grants, one in each Australian state and territory, to boost small and growing businesses that are helping local communities connect, thrive and evolve in the night-time economy.

Visa Country Manager for Oceania, Alan Machet, said the grants mark a shift from insight to action. “The Visa Vibe Grants Program opens at an integral moment for Australia’s night-time economy. Businesses operating after dark play a critical role in local culture, employment and community connection, yet face a distinct set of pressures – from regulatory complexity, council restrictions and the added expense of safety, security and compliance during late-night trading hours.”

While these challenges can limit the ability of small and independent operators to invest in innovation, insights from the Visa Vibe Economy Report, developed in partnership with McCrindle, show demand for night-time experiences remains resilient, particularly among Gen Z, with 73 per cent going out once or more a week.

Australians are reshaping life after dark, favouring community-driven, accessible and experience-led nights over traditional nightlife, with more than half seeking affordability (52 per cent) in particular.

The Visa Vibe Grants Program is designed to help bridge this gap – providing targeted financial support that enables businesses to, trial new ideas, activate precincts and deliver safer, more inclusive experiences that give Australians more reasons to go out after dark.

Mainstreet Australia President, Troy Stuchbree, said vibrant night-time economies are critical to the health of local communities, “Main streets and town centres are the social and economic heart of communities, and a strong night-time economy is vital in bringing them to life after dark. The Visa Vibe Grants Program provides timely support for the small businesses and precinct partners driving safer, more inclusive and affordable experiences.”

Applications are open to eligible businesses and organisations delivering night-time experiences across retail, arts, hospitality, culture and community-led initiatives. Successful applicants must demonstrate how their project supports at least one of the program’s core pillars: safety, affordability, inclusivity or innovation.

Applications for the Visa Vibe Grants Program are now open and close Tuesday 24 March. Shortlisted businesses will be notified in April, with winners announced later this year.

For eligibility criteria and application details, visit mainstreetaustralia.org.au/visavibegrantsprogram/