The $420, 000 grant will be used to promote gender equality and non-violence in the community.

Knox will lead the three councils in the Preventing Violence against Women in our Community initiative to be rolled out in the outer east.

Knox Council's co-ordinator of community access and equity Nicole Hunter said the project aims to increase communication and culture to prevent violence against women before it happens.

She said the plan should be implemented by March or April, with Maroondah and Yarra Ranges recently invoicing Knox to receive their share of the money.

Ms Hunter said while the three councils will share the same aims for the project there could be differences in how they get their message across. "Some could go through education, some through sport and the other media and arts," she said.

Minister for Women's Affairs Mary Wooldridge announced the funding in July last year but the council did not get any money until November, delaying the initial planning.

Maroondah mayor Rob Steane said much was being done to combat domestic violence in the outer east. "The funding will assist the councils to work together over the next three years to raise awareness of domestic violence in the community and bring about change," he said.

Cr Steane's comments on the funding were made while he was discussing plans for celebrating International Women's Day on March 8.

Guest speakers at the breakfast event include VicHealth's Preventing Violence Against Women program manager Renee Imbesi and a survivor of domestic violence.