The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has launched it’s inaugural MAVlab Innovation Awards – a bold new program designed to recognise and celebrate the people and projects reshaping the future of local government across Victoria.
From reimagining service delivery to transforming public spaces, council teams across Victoria are tackling complex challenges like climate change, economic resilience and community wellbeing with creativity, care and commitment.
The MAVlab Innovation Awards will spotlight this work – from quiet reinventions to big, bold transformations.
“Innovation in local government takes courage, vision and persistence,” MAV CEO Kelly Grigsby said.
“From rapidly evolving technology to social changes, shifting economies to environmental pressures, our local communities – and the councils that represent them – are at the forefront of multiple transformations happening simultaneously.
“The MAVlab Innovation Awards are about recognising the people who are meeting this moment with creativity and determination, finding new ways to deliver public value and better outcomes for communities,” said Grigsby.
The program includes 16 awards across a variety of topics and disciplines to recognise people and projects demonstrating innovation in areas such as leadership, community wellbeing, storytelling, and financial ingenuity.
Each award celebrates projects and people that are pushing boundaries, testing new ideas, and delivering measurable impact. From strategic thinkers to frontline changemakers, we’re shining a light on the full spectrum of local government innovation.
“These awards are not only about recognition,” Grigsby added.
“They’re also about sharing the remarkable work happening across Victoria’s 79 councils – celebrating and promoting the fresh thinking that is powering positive change in communities and creating opportunities to amplify these ideas so they can inspire and inform others across the sector.”
Open to all Victorian council staff, from executives to council officers, the MAVlab Innovation Awards are an opportunity to share, celebrate, and scale innovation happening across the sector.
Nominations close: 5.59pm, Thursday 31 July 2025
Registrations are open to attend an information session: mavevents.cventevents.com/mavlabinnovationawardsinfo
