The Allan Labor Government is continuing to support Victoria's young LGBTIQA+ communities through the latest round of the Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) grants.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today announced that 15 community-led projects will share $100,000 in funding through the 2025 HEY grants round.
Now in its 15th year, the HEY grants program supports initiatives that promote diversity, reduce stigma and discrimination, and strengthen mental health and wellbeing for young LGBTIQA+ Victorians.
The Labor Government partners with the Youth Affairs Council Victoria to deliver the program, which has supported more than 135 projects and provided more than $1.4 million in funding since 2010.
The 2025 round supports eight projects in rural and regional Victoria and seven in metropolitan Melbourne, supporting access to inclusive and affirming spaces across the state. Notably, nine projects are youth-led, placing young LGBTIQA+ people at the centre of project design and delivery.
In the Southern Grampians Shire, young people will lead a digital storytelling initiative focused on building LGBTIQA+ visibility through animation and social media.
In Melbourne, a statewide ballroom and vogue program will provide paid creative and production opportunities for emerging young artists.
Funding will support a project by Berry Street Education First Youth Foyer to deliver essential support kits for LGBTIQA+ young people in the Yorta Yorta region who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The Aletheia Project, a youth-led health initiative empowering female-identifying LGBTIQA+ young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to take ownership of their health is also being supported by the grants.
The HEY grants program forms part of the Labor Government's broader work to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes for LGBTIQA+ Victorians across the state.
A list of recipients can be found at yacvic.org.au/get-involved/hey/hey-grants/.
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt
"We're building a Victoria where everyone is welcome and celebrated - these grants are supporting young LGBTIQA+ Victorians to live their best lives."
As stated by Minister for Equality Vicki Ward
"These projects help ensure LGBTIQA+ young people feel safe, supported and empowered in their communities."
