The changes to the grants assessment processes were made by councillors to better respond to those individuals and groups whose needs for financial assistance are not predicted in advance.

Councillor Barry Marrow said the new application process would make youth grants much more accessible.

``We hope that this new process will increase the number of applications we receive by allowing people to apply for a grant when the need arises, rather than having to wait for the funding rounds to come about,'' Cr Marrow said.

``There are a lot of great projects happening in our shire so we'd encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible for financial assistance from the council to give us a call.

``Currently it is just the youth grants program which has switched over to the year-round system, but we plan to do so with the community grants too in the near future.''

Youth grants awarded in 2009 included $1,500 to St Arnaud Secondary College to assist the few lucky students in organising the school's first overseas trip to New Caledonia for the French class, $1,500 to Stawell West Primary School to contribute to the RACV Pushcart Challenge run each year by grades five and six and $1,065 to the St Arnaud Netball Club to purchase new netball training equipment.

Council currently provides five types of grants for residents - Youth, Community, Minor, Business Assistance and Arts and Culture.

More information on council grants, including eligibility and application processes, can be found on the website www.ngshire.vic.gov.au or by contacting the Community Development team on 5358 8700.