Yarra Trams Boosts Six Community Groups with Free Ads
Six Melbourne nonprofits receive free tram advertising through 2023 partnership program
Yarra Trams Picks Six Groups for 2023 Ad Program
Six Melbourne community organizations will get free advertising on Yarra Trams throughout 2023 after the transit agency announced its annual Community Partnerships Program selections. Yarra Trams confirmed the six partners on October 6, 2022, giving each group roughly four months of tram wrap advertising across the city's iconic network. The program provides advertising space that'd typically cost thousands of dollars to nonprofits working to improve Melbourne and Victoria's communities.
Program Supports Community Groups Since 2018
Yarra Trams has operated the Community Partnerships Program since 2018, allowing social enterprises and charities to showcase their work on Melbourne's tram network. The program's evolved over the years with different themes reflecting community priorities. In 2020, officials focused on "A more sustainable Melbourne," featuring sustainability organizations. By 2022, the theme shifted to "Building a Resilient and Sustainable Melbourne," expanding to include groups supporting Victoria's natural environment and improving employment security for disadvantaged communities. Organizations submit Expressions of Interest that're assessed by a panel of business, government, and community leaders.
Six Organizations Selected for 2023 Advertising
The 2023 community partners include Yarra Riverkeeper, SisterWorks, OzHarvest, Asylum Seeker's Resource Centre, Conservation Volunteers, and Yarra Energy Foundation. Each organization receives approximately four months of advertising on the tram network throughout the year. Julien Dehornoy, Yarra Trams CEO, hosted a lunch for representatives of participating organizations in August 2022 at a venue managed by community partner For Change Co., which supports youth at risk of homelessness. The six groups represent diverse missions aligned with the program's sustainability and community resilience themes.
Tram Wraps Roll Out Throughout 2023
The advertising tram wraps for the six selected organizations will appear throughout 2023, with each group receiving roughly four months of visibility on Melbourne's tram network. Officials announced the selections in October 2022, giving organizations time to prepare their advertising designs before the wraps appear on trams. The program provides exposure across Melbourne's extensive tram system, which serves hundreds of thousands of riders daily.
Free Advertising Boosts Nonprofit Visibility
The Community Partnerships Program gives selected nonprofits significant visibility they couldn't otherwise afford, helping them reach Melbourne residents and visitors using the tram network. The free advertising space allows organizations to promote their missions, recruit volunteers, and raise awareness about environmental and social issues affecting Victoria. Riders can track tram arrivals and plan trips using Moovit, which provides real-time updates for Yarra Trams routes across Melbourne.
