Premier

Empowering Young People In Rural And Regional Victoria

12 January 2017

The Andrews Labor Government is better connecting young people in rural and regional Victoria to their local communities and giving them a greater voice in decision making.

Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos today announced grants up to $30,000 to engage young people in local government and community decision making in rural and regional Victoria.

The grants recognise the valuable contribution that young people make to Victoria, and will empower them to get involved in shaping their community.

They will also engage young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those with a disability and same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people.

The 2016-17 grant recipients include:

  • Mildura Rural City Council, with their Partners for Youth Project, which will build a toolkit to encourage community organisations and businesses to engage and work with young people
  • City of Greater Geelong, which will provide a platform for young Aboriginal people to have a voice and advocate the needs of young people through the Koorie Youth Leadership and Advisory Group
  • Loddon Shire Council, which will provide mentoring for young people facing significant barriers to participation, help them engage with the community through local clubs and organisations, and deliver change-making activities.

The grants are part of the Rural and Regional Local Government Youth Engagement Program, a $425,000 investment over two years, to engage young people in local government and community decision-making through a range of locally developed and youth-focussed initiatives.

The program recognises that young people in regional and rural Victoria can face additional challenges to community participation.

For more information on the program go to: www.youthcentral.vic.gov.auExternal Link .

Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos

“This funding will empower young people in rural and regional Victoria to help shape the communities where they live.”

“We are proud to be working with local governments to engage young people in regional and rural Victoria, who sometimes face big challenges to community participation.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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