A Victorian government investment of more than $6 million to strengthen Aboriginal health and wellbeing has been welcomed by the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO).

On Tuesday, the state government announced that 15 Aboriginal organisations will share the funding to continue and expand locally led Culture + Kinship initiatives as part of the Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Agreement.

Programs supported by the $6.3 million in funding include an Elders Choir, Cultural Memory and Return to Country Project, Youth Cultural and Diversionary Camps, Transferring Elders Knowledge, and Early Years Connection to Country.

"We're working hard to close health gaps by strengthening culture, connection and community for Aboriginal Victorians," Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.

"If we want the best health outcomes, we must back Aboriginal-led care, our ACCHOs [Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations] and VACCHO."

Welcoming the announcement, VACCHO said the program was first piloted across four Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in 2022, with an evaluation report finding a social return of more than $8 for every dollar invested.

"The return on investment demonstrated in previous projects has reaffirmed evidence that local Aboriginal-led approaches deliver the best results for Community, and that reconnecting culture, identity, and kinship is fundamental to Aboriginal people's health and wellbeing," VACCHO chief executive Jill Gallagher said.

In a statement, the government said: "A successful 2022 pilot demonstrated measurable improvements in social and emotional wellbeing, highlighting the power of Aboriginal-led solutions.

"The evidence is clear: when care is culturally safe and community-controlled, health outcomes improve and lives change."

Ms Gallagher — who celebrated the announcement with Ms Thomas this week — said the program is unique for its Aboriginal community-driven focus, which empowers communities to lead efforts to strengthen connection and belonging among Indigenous people.

"Hosting these activities in ACCOs [Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations] is especially important, as it strengthens the important relationships between Communities and the providers of critical health and wellbeing services," she said.

"Prioritising Culture and Kinship creates the foundations for connection, fostering a sense of purpose, belonging, and identity, while build stronger relationships."

The 15 ACCOs that have received funding are:

-Yappera Children's Service Cooperative
-Weenthunga Health Network Inc
-ACES Aboriginal Community Elder Services Inc.
-Oonah Aboriginal Health and Community Services
-The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
-Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS)
-Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative
-Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation
-Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc
-Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly & Community Health Service Inc.
-Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-op
-Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre
-Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative
-Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative Limited
-Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association