The Victorian Government has committed $12.3 million over three years to the 2012-2014 Engage! program (previously known as the Youth Participation and Access program) to support the social, civic and economic participation of young people which has a long lasting effect on their development.
Program Aim
The aim of the 2012-2014 Engage! program is to provide early support and engage with young people 12-25 years to actively participate in and benefit from civic, economic and social activities in their community.
Program Objectives
The Engage! program will support young people through locally planned activities. The program objectives are to provide opportunities for young people to:
- Participate in their community and contribute to decision-making and initiatives
- Participate in activities which build their skills, knowledge and pathways
- Develop support networks and strengthen their connections with families, peers and community.
Program Outcomes
The Office for Youth's programs and policies aim to give young Victorians opportunities to develop their skills, confidence and connections with their communities to help them make the most of their futures. The outcomes of the Engage! program are to:
- Increase young people's participation in volunteering opportunities in their local community
- Increase the skills and knowledge of young people and pathways in education, training and employment
- Improve young people's support networks and connections with their families, peers and communities.
Engage! Young People
Engage! provides opportunities for all young people, including those who have additional needs or face barriers. This includes young people who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), newly arrived/refugees, Indigenous, same-sex attracted, experiencing socio-economic disadvantage, from rurally isolated areas, and young people with a disability.
Program Funding
Engage! offers funding between $30,000 to $50,000 per annum, over three years, for community organisations and local governments to develop programs which lead to more opportunities for young people to volunteer, develop education and employment pathways, as well as increase connections with their peers, community and family.
Funding through the 2012-2014 Engage! program will be for the period of 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014. A list of the 102 funded organisations (Excel spreadsheet, 106KB) is now available to download.
For further information about the Engage! program please contact Julie Sidhom, Office for Youth on (03) 9935 3020 or julie.sidhom@dhs.vic.gov.au.
