The Youth Engagement Grants are part of the Victorian Government’s Building Safer Communities Program. The initiative helps promote community safety and prevent crime in communities across Victoria.

The projects below were awarded through 2 funding rounds. Funded projects are listed by the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) regions (External link) that they are located within.

 

Regions

  • Barwon South West
  • Gippsland
  • Hume
  • Loddon Mallee
  • North West Metropolitan
  • South East Metropolitan

Barwon South West

LGA: Greater Geelong

This project also falls under the Loddon Mallee and North West Metropolitan regions.

Organisation: Victoria Karen Communities Network

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: Strengthening the Karen Youth Network through Sports and Cultural Engagement

This project will strengthen connections between Karen and other young people from Myanmar through sporting and cultural events.

The project will also build:

  • leadership skills
  • connections with community leaders and
  • connections with local and state-based organisations that promote youth development and welfare.

Gippsland

LGA: Baw Baw and Latrobe

Organisation: United Muslim Sisters of Latrobe Valley (UMSLV)

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: Changing Perspectives

This project is a partnership with GippSport. It will connect young Muslim women with experienced women mentors.

Through sporting activities they will develop leadership and life skills, and build confidence and self-esteem.

UMSLV will lead the engagement of young Muslim women and the mentoring component. Activities will be delivered through GippSport’s Latrobe Street games with support from UMSLV.

Activities will include:

  • badminton
  • skating/scootering
  • soccer
  • basketball, and
  • dodgeball.

Hume

LGA: Greater Shepparton

Organisation: Know Your Roots Inc.

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: Embrace, Connect and Be One

This project will provide school holiday arts and cultural programs for Aboriginal, African, and Pasifika young people.

It will provide activities that are culturally safe and connects them to their:

  • cultures
  • peers, and
  • local community.

Activities will include:

  • cultural and craft workshops, and
  • song writing workshops.

LGA: Wodonga

Organisation: Indigeekare Services Pty Ltd

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: Community Youth Hub

This project will design and deliver a youth hub adjoining the Indigeekare's Community Men’s shed. This will connect Aboriginal children and young people to their elders through cultural programs such as mentoring and Aboriginal artefact and tool making.

LGA: Benalla

Organisation: Benalla Migrants Association Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: School holiday activities – music and dancing

This project will provide school holiday activities for children and young people from newly arrived and migrant backgrounds.

Music, dancing and other recreational activities will engage children and young people at risk of isolation and connect them to their peers and local community.

Loddon Mallee

LGA: Greater Bendigo

Organisation: Regional Victorians of Colour Inc.

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: The Kura Jieng Project

The project will deliver street soccer activities and events to young men from refugee and newly arrived communities. The project will foster community connections and connect the young men to additional supports through after-game information sessions from local service providers.

LGA: Greater Bendigo

This project also falls under the Barwon South West and North West Metropolitan regions.

Organisation: Victoria Karen Communities Network

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: Strengthening the Karen Youth Network through Sports and Cultural Engagement

This project will strengthen connections between Karen and other young people from Myanmar through sporting and cultural events.

The project will also build:

  • leadership skills
  • connections with community leaders, and
  • connections with local and state-based organisations that promote youth development and welfare.

North West Metropolitan

LGA: Brimbank

Organisation: Kontiki Cultural Women Empowerment

Grant funding (round 1): $49,000

 

Project: Youth Artistic Sewing Workshops

This project will engage African and other multicultural children and young people through a series of sewing and creative workshops. The children and young people will learn:

  • pattern making
  • sewing techniques
  • tie-dye batik, and
  • fabric painting. 

They will also learn how to:

  • develop and present design concepts
  • sew prototypes, and
  • construct garments.

LGA: Wyndham

Organisation: Australian Karen Preserving and Promoting History and Cultural Association Inc.

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: AKP Sport and Cultural Preservation Project

This project will deliver a range of engagement activities for Karen children and young people that build life skills, strengthen community connection, and provide pathways into training and employment.

Sporting and cultural activities will include:

  • soccer
  • volleyball
  • cane ball (Burma's national sport)
  • traditional Karen dancing
  • singing, and
  • learning to play musical instruments.

LGA: Maribyrnong

This project also falls under the South East Metropolitan region.

Organisation: One Ball Inc.

Grant funding (round 1): $45,450

 

Project: Positive Kick Soccer Program

This project will deliver soccer programs to CALD young people and those from low-economic backgrounds. 

The programs aim to:

  • build soccer skills
  • foster a sense of community inclusion, and
  • improve health and wellbeing.

LGA: Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham

Organisation: Lorrok Inc.

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: The African Australian Cultural Re-connection Project

The project will engage African young people within the custodial setting before exiting, and then work with them after they exit.

The project aims to link young people to their family, peers, and local community.

The project will also support young people to access recreational and educational activities.

LGA: Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Moonee Valley and Yarra

Organisation: United Through Football Inc.

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: African Youth Empowering Project

This project aims to support and engage African children and young people residing in public housing towers, including the towers in North Melbourne and Flemington involved in the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown in 2020.

This project will deliver:

  • school holiday sporting and recreational activities, and
  • cultural identity workshops.

LGA: Wyndham

This project also falls under the Barwon South West and Loddon Mallee regions.

Organisation: Victoria Karen Communities Network

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: Strengthening the Karen Youth Network through Sports and Cultural Engagement

This project will strengthen connections between Karen and other young people from Myanmar through sporting and cultural events.

The project will also build:

  • leadership skills
  • connections with community leaders and
  • connections with local and state-based organisations that promote youth development and welfare.

LGA: Melton

Organisation: African Youth Initiative Ltd

Grant funding (round 2): $19,580

 

Project: African youth fitness program

This program will provide weekly gym sessions for African young people.

This program aims to reduce social isolation, and improve health and wellbeing, self-confidence and resilience.

LGA: Brimbank, Wyndham, Melton and Moonee Valley

Organisation: Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity Limited (AAFRO)

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: Beat the Time by AAFRO

This project will deliver school holiday activities to African Australian children and young people to foster community connection and build self-confidence.

Recreational activities include:

  • basketball
  • soccer, and
  • chess.

Personal development activities include:

  • team building, and
  • job seeking support.

LGA: Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Wyndham and Melton

This project also falls under Maroondah and Yarra Ranges regions.

Organisation: Chin Community Victoria Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: After school homework club and Education Awards Night

This project will engage children and young people from the Chin community and support them to remain connected to their education.

Activities will include a homework club, and an awards night to celebrate the achievements of students finishing Grade 6 and Year 12.

LGA: Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham

Organisation: Chin-Myanmar Community Care

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: School holiday program 2023-24

This project will deliver school holiday soccer activities for children and young people from the Chin community. The project aims to improve cultural connections, build a sense of belonging and increase social participation.

LGA: Hume

Organisation: Centre for Muslim Wellbeing Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $15,000

 

Project: Creative wellbeing for youth

This project will provide culturally appropriate art and forest therapy workshops to Muslim children and young people to build resilience, connection, and an improved sense of wellbeing.

LGA: Hume

Organisation: Sunbury Aboriginal Corporation

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: Dhan Gurrama-Y

This project will provide a weekly youth group for Aboriginal children and young people and the opportunity to participate in activities that will build connections to culture.

Activities will include:

  • cultural dance
  • traditional musical instrument making, and
  • traditional art.

LGA: Hume

Organisation: Upfield Soccer Club Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: Refugee kids play and lead in soccer

This project will engage newly arrived Iraqi and Syrian young people to learn soccer skills and participate in leadership and coaching development opportunities.

LGA: Melton, Brimbank and Wyndham

Organisation: Debre Genet Saint Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Melbourne Australia Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: EMPOWER - using Ethiopian culture to engage first generation African-Australian youth

This project will support a monthly drop in space for African-Australian young people, particularly those from Ethiopian backgrounds.

Young people will have access to:

  • capacity building and leadership workshops
  • youth forums covering mental health awareness, careers and employment pathways, and
  • cultural activities such as learning traditional music instruments.

 LGA: Brimbank, Wyndham and Melton

Organisation: Football Empowerment Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: CALD youth engagement and empowerment through football

This project will deliver weekly soccer programs for multicultural young people.

The project aims to:

  • increase social connections
  • build confidence, and
  • improve health and wellbeing.

The project will partner with community service providers to provide additional support services and advice for participants.

LGA: Maribyrnong

Organisation: Footscray Rugby Union Club Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: Footscray Rugby Union Academy

This project will engage Pasifika children and young people in rugby and provide weekly skills development sessions. The project aims to increase children and young people’s health and wellbeing, and connection to their families and Pasifika culture.

LGA: Melton

Organisation: Melton Rugby Union Football Club Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: Engaging with youth

This project will engage Pasifika children and young people in:

  • rugby activities
  • health and wellbeing information sessions, and
  • volunteer projects in their local community.

LGA: Yarra

Organisation: Mzuri Dance Artistree Fund Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: Wellbeing Beyond the Bell - Youth Creative Program for social and cultural connection

This project will provide weekly co-led creative and cultural arts activities and excursions for African children and young people.

Activities aim to:

  • strengthen social connections
  • build confidence, and
  • improve health and wellbeing.

Older young people will be supported to become 'young leaders' and assist with program delivery.

LGA: Wyndham

Organisation: Victorian Bangladeshi Community Foundation 

Grant funding (round 2): $48,000

 

Project: VBCF youth connect program 2023-2025

This project will deliver a range of activities for Bangladeshi children and young people that will strengthen their connection to culture and community.

Activities will include:

  • art lessons
  • cultural dance and music classes, and
  • sports such as soccer, cricket and basketball.

LGA: Whittlesea

Organisation: Whittlesea Somali Community Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: Somali youth health connect

This project will deliver weekly sport and leisure activities at the Mill Park Leisure Centre, Whittlesea, for boys and young men from the Somali community.

The boys and young men will participate in swimming lessons and a range of gym activities with the aim of improving their fitness, health and wellbeing. 

LGA: Melbourne, Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley

Organisation: Young Australian People Inc. (auspiced by Moonee Valley Legal Service)

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: Mentoring and upskilling of Young Australian Champions (YAC) for peer-led change

This project will train and support 10 ‘Young Australian Champions’ to tell their positive stories of change and how they turned their lives around following involvement with the criminal justice system.

Storytelling will be through multi-media platforms, social media and radio to inspire at-risk young people to pursue positive engagement, connect to community, and prevent offending.

South East Metropolitan

LGA: Casey

Organisation: Multicultural Youth Support Services Inc. 

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: After School Program

This project will provide after school programs for African children and young people and their families. The program aims to strengthen connections to peers, family, school and the local community.

Activities will include:

  • a homework club
  • basketball club
  • excursions
  • community BBQs, and
  • information sessions for parents.

LGA: Greater Dandenong

Organisation: African Women and Families Network

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: African Youth Engagement and Connecting Pathways Project

The project will use gender specific and mixed sporting and recreational activities to engage African children and young people. Activities will include:

  • netball
  • soccer
  • basketball
  • swimming lessons, and
  • excursions.

The project aims to address social isolation, build resilience and strengthen connections to peers, family and community.

LGA: Greater Dandenong

Organisation: Cleeland United Soccer Club Inc.

Grant funding (round 1): $48,999

 

Project: Engaging Young People in Sports and Homework Club Classes and their Parents in Zumba Dance Classes

The project will provide a safe place for newly arrived young migrants and their parents to participate in a range of activities that will build family and community connections. Activities will include:

  • a homework club
  • soccer, and
  • Zumba dance classes for parents.

LGA: Greater Dandenong

Organisation: Somaliland Union Of Victoria Inc.

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: Youth Empowering Youth Sports, Festival, Education & Cohesiveness

This project will engage African young people and connect them to their peers, family and local community.

Activities that will be delivered include:

  • a Year 12 Awards Night
  • a soccer tournament
  • an Eid Festival, and
  • dance workshops for young people.

LGA: Casey and Port Phillip

This project also falls under the North West Metropolitan region.

Organisation: One Ball Inc.

Grant funding (round 1): $49,995

 

Project: Positive Kick Soccer Program

This project will deliver soccer programs to children and young people from multicultural and low-economic backgrounds. 

The programs aim to:

  • build soccer skills
  • contribute to positive life outcome, and
  • foster a sense of community inclusion.

LGA: All

Organisation: Southeast Metro Aboriginal Suicide Prevention and Healing Network

Grant funding (round 1): $50,000

 

Project: Culture Matters Event

This project will host an event at the Willum Warrain centre in Hastings, bringing together Aboriginal children and young people from across the Southeast of Melbourne.

The project aims to:

  • build resilience
  • strengthen connection to family, culture and community, and
  • connect Aboriginal children and young people to support services.

 LGA: Maroondah and Yarra Ranges

Organisation: Australia Chin Community (Eastern Melbourne) Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $20,000

 

Project: Building youth social innovation networks

This project will strengthen connections between children and young people from the Chin community with their peers and local community.

Activities will include:

  • volleyball
  • tennis, and
  • cultural activities including Chin National Day celebrations and cultural dance and music.

The project will also build leadership skills and build connections with local service providers.

LGA: Maroondah and Yarra Ranges

This project also falls under Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Wyndham and Melton regions.

Organisation: Chin Community Victoria Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: After school homework club and Education Awards Night

This project will engage children and young people from the Chin community and support them to remain connected to their education.

Activities will include a homework club, and an awards night to celebrate the achievements of students finishing Grade 6 and Year 12.

LGA: Greater Dandenong

Organisation: Oyiti Foundation for Multicultural Youth Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: South Sudanese youth support for Mental Health awareness and Suicide prevention

This project will provide a range of activities for South Sudanese Australian young people to support their health and wellbeing, including:

  • mental health awareness sessions
  • a homework club, and
  • basketball activities.

LGA: All

Organisation: Victoria Hongkongers Association (Aust) Inc.

Grant funding (round 2): $50,000

 

Project: VHKA's youth engagement

This project will engage newly arrived children and young people from Hong Kong in a range of activities including:

  • English and Cantonese language classes
  • music and art workshops
  • sporting activities, and
  • community participation activities such as family BBQs and Chinese festival gatherings.

The project aims to connect children and young people to their peers, family and local community.