Youth Minister Dave Kelly today announced the recipients of 31 grants worth a total $202,250.50 for local governments and community organisations that will deliver projects to support young people during the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Program is empowering young people to drive socially inclusive and innovative projects within their communities, with up to $10,000 available for organisations to engage young people aged 10 - 25 years.
In 2020-21, the Program was rebranded from the Youth Engagement Grants Program to the COVID-19 Youth Recovery Grants Program.
This year, the Program has an emphasis on approving projects that support, inform and build capacity of young people following the pandemic, particularly in the areas of gaining and retaining employment opportunities, and supporting the mental health of Western Australian youth.
Some of this year's recipients include:
- Inclusion Solutions Limited for the Inclusive Schools' Project ($10,000). The Project will directly impact students aged 15-18 years to become active citizens and empower them to drive socially inclusive ideas within their school community. Three Perth schools will be selected to take part through an expression of interest process.
- Dismantle Inc. for the Youth Employment Recovery Project ($8,000). Dismantle will engage, mentor, train and employ up to three young people at risk of long-term unemployment in the Perth metropolitan areas. The young people will learn bicycle refurbishment and will restore two bicycles each - one to donate to a cause of their choice and the second is "earned" for them to keep.
- The Royal Life Saving Society of WA Inc for the Kimberley Extended Bronze Medallion Project ($7,930). Local Aboriginal young people will be engaged to obtain their Bronze Medallion to assist them in gaining employment as lifeguards at local pools across the Kimberley.
- Live To Tell Your Story Inc for Engaging young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs of the future ($5,000). The Wheatbelt-based project will focus on the development of a new business product - a non-alcoholic, Australian botanical inspired beverage - from planning to implementation.
The full list of grant recipients can be found at https://dlgc.communities.wa.gov.au/GrantsFunding/Pages/All-grants-programs.aspx
As stated by Youth Minister Dave Kelly:
"The McGowan Government recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on young Western Australians, especially in relation to gaining employment skills and their mental health.
"Young people are active participants in their communities and these grants support the ongoing work they are doing across the State to make their communities a better place.
"The 31 projects will also promote and create services and programs to keep young people well and promote lifelong healthy lifestyles.
"These innovative projects are not only educational, informative and youth-aware but are also diverse, interesting and fun.
