Charities, not-for-profits and other local community service providers across Victoria, as well as local government authorities and four alpine resorts, have been invited to apply for $7.5 million in bushfire recovery grants.

Individual grants of up to $500,000 are on offer as part of the $35 million Community Recovery and Resilience Grants Initiative, which is jointly funded by the Victorian and Federal governments.

Victorian Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville says bushfire recovery is a long journey and must be led by communities.

“If they have projects and activities in the works that will help them do their job, then these grants can make them happen,” she said.

Initiatives that can be supported include economic development programs, local business skill and capacity-building, a community recovery officer to boost local service delivery, and recovery services for groups such as the elderly or multicultural communities.

Activities that build resilience for future disasters will also be backed.

The Victorian Government has so far provided more than $320 million for bushfire response and recovery following the spring and summer bushfires.

Grant applications can be made here.