Local governments and community service organisations are being invited to apply for funding for projects that enable young people aged between 10 to 25 years to achieve positive outcomes in the community.
Youth Minister Dave Kelly today announced the return of the Youth Engagement Grants Program for 2023.
The Youth Engagement Grants Program supports funding initiatives and projects that promote and empower young people. This can include opportunities for young people to learn and develop life skills to help them to achieve their personal and professional goals, and programs that encourage healthy lifestyles by keeping young people actively engaged with their community.
Examples of initiatives and activities that would qualify for funding include:
- projects that increase representation of Aboriginal young people with youth development and youth support decision-making mechanisms;
- increasing the representation of young people in the development of preventative, early intervention and diversion projects for vulnerable young people or young people engaged with the youth justice system; and
- improving mental wellbeing outcomes for young people who are underrepresented, such as young carers, young people living with disability, and young victims of family and domestic violence.
Funded initiatives can also include peer mentoring and respectful relationships training for young people.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available for short-term, one-off activities or initiatives of up to six months' duration, and up to $10,000 for longer-term, strategic initiatives that involve the whole of the community.
Applications for the Youth Engagement Grants Program open on Wednesday, 30 November 2022 and close on Wednesday, 8 February 2023.
More information about the program can be found on the Department of Communities website.
As stated by Youth Minister Dave Kelly:
"Young people in WA should be treated with respect and feel safe, welcome and included.
"The McGowan Government is committed to supporting the development of young people, and providing youth-friendly services, facilities and programs.
"Young people, community groups and government agencies need to work in partnership to support young people's participation in decision making, planning and services to meet their diverse needs.
"The Youth Engagement Grants Program is an integral part of that.
"This program encourages and recognises the participation and contributions of young people and helps them develop the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to be actively involved in community life and to respond to issues impacting on their lives."
