Youth Opportunities Program (2020)

The Youth Opportunities program provides one-off, time-limited grants between $10,000 and $50,000 to not-for-profit organisations and local councils for youth-led and youth-driven community projects that have a positive youth development focus.

The program is targeted to young people aged 12 to 25 who are transitioning from childhood to adulthood and from dependence to independence. This includes young people who face disadvantage.

Organisations seeking project funding from the Youth Opportunities program are to involve young people at every stage of the project – from identifying the need, through to design, project delivery and final review.

Projects which are genuinely youth-led and youth-driven are those initiated by young people in response to what they have said they need. Applications are sought which address young people’s identified needs in an innovative way and increase young people’s connections to the community.

Project themes have been suggested based on what young people have told the government and other organisations about what is important to them:

Community inclusion and participation
COVID-19
Cultural identity and connection
Cyber safety and awareness
Domestic and Family violence
Financial literacy (budgeting, rent, phone, contracts, fines)
Health and wellbeing
Homelessness/housing
Young people impacted by drought

Projects may seek to address one of these issues or they may address other issues raised by young people which they consider important in their local communities.

Previously funded projects

Funded projects from previous rounds have focused on giving young people the opportunity to develop a range of skills, including life skills and healthy behaviours; leadership, communication and teamwork; event management and planning; and providing volunteering opportunities that link young people to further education and training.

Here are some highlighted projects:

South West Youth Community Radio — $45,800
by South West Arts in 2019
The SouthWest Youth Community Radio project is a youth-run, youth-led social enterprise aimed at providing young people with practical skills and knowledge that will: Enable community connection and partnerships; Provide a voice for young people within the community; Support creative skills development; and Provide pathways for career development and further education.
Food, Recreation, Education, Society & Health (F.R.E.S.H.) — $8,273
by Mosman Municipal Council in 2017
F.R.E.S.H is a youth-led initiative designed to support young people to develop practical skills in cooking alongside developing knowledge around healthy eating and nutrition.
The Street Poets — $49,960
by Musicians Making a Difference in 2017
A youth-driven spoken word poetry initiative investing in the professional and creative development of young people. Participants will be mentored to produce a spoken word album and tour a live show with the message of hope and positivity.
Staging the Drama – Behind the Scenes — $16,400
by Western Plains Regional Development in 2017
Staging the Drama will provide young people with the skills required to create an artistic production. Professional mentors and trainers will be engaged to conduct this training. These skills will include the technical and administrative roles needed to take productions from workshop to the stage.
stART Moree — $50,000
by Beyond Empathy in 2017
A youth-driven, locally inspired music and performance event. Participants will be mentored by professional artists and gain skills in public performance and event management.
Youth for Change — $10,000
by Madi Ethnic Community Welfare Association Incorporated in 2018
The Youth for Change project will provide young people with opportunities for leadership training to run leadership camps and different events throughout the year. Participants will also complete Mental Health First Aid training.
Local Journeys Ulladulla — $21,085
by Dunn Lewis Youth Development Foundation in 2019
An exploration of local community by young people in two phases. Phase 1: development of guided audio walks (podcasts) of significant local places and culture. Phase two: development of a local cultural festival featuring local entertainment, food, skill-sharing workshops and storytelling through collaboration with local community groups.
BON APPETIT — $40,000
by Phoenix House Youth Services Incorporated in 2018
The BON APPETIT project will reduce food waste and urban loneliness through cooking and sharing meals around a table in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Supplied with food donated from OZHarvest, young people will transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary meals to renew, revive and connect with the rest of the community.
Changing the Narrative — $49,950
by Gymea Community Aid & Information Service in 2109
Changing the Narrative aims to broadcast the voices of Young Australians and to highlight through short films and a film festival, their concerns, interests and world view and project that a positive future is not only possible but can be created by young people.
ART PARK – Shopfront’s open space drop-in for Young People — $45,781
by Shopfront Arts Co.op. Ltd in 2018
ART PARK is a youth-led drop-in at Shopfront Arts Co-Op providing a context for young people to forge strong social connections and professional arts networks. Weekly, young people aged 15+ have access to arts resources, a supportive space, professional development training, mentorship and connection to a diverse network of peers.
Groom Room — $42,684
by Information + Cultural Exchange in 2019
A youth-run social enterprise: a ‘unisex’ barbershop delivering fades and braids by and for discerning young people. ‘Groom Room’ will be an immersive employment, business and creative development program led by style, inspiration, empowerment and delivers the chance for customers to check in; fix up; look sharp.
Youth Leading And Succeeding — $28,662
by OzGreen in 2019
OzGREEN will support Bellingen and Nambucca Shire young people to deliver six youth-inspired, youth-planned and youth-driven projects. Projects include an Indigenous native plants community nursery, a youth-run nature club, a sustainability festival, an electrical appliance repair workshop, a youth space at the community garden and a sustainable lifestyle video production.

There are over 100 other projects funded between 2012 and 2019… be sure to check them them out for more ideas that could potentially be funded for youth based projects here in Junee Shire.

previously funded programs »