$3.1 million to support youth leadership

Mentoring to help young people be leaders in their local communities is the focus of a new $3.1 million NSW Government program launched by Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello.

Grant applications for the Youth Opportunities program are now open and Member for Murray-Darling, John Williams is encouraging local groups to apply.

Funding is available for projects that use mentoring and other strategies to help young people feel more included in and give back to their communities.

Minister Dominello said young people have a lot to offer society, when they have access to the right chances and the right choices. Youth and community organisations and local government can apply for grants of up to $50,000 for one-off, time-limited projects.

A total of $2.6 million in grant funding is available.

A further $500,000 in funding will be allocated to targeted initiatives, such as fostering local government and civic engagement among young people, linking young graduates with employers, and helping young Aboriginal people get the driver licenses that help them get jobs.

Grant applications opened 27 June 2012 and close 30 July. For more information about Youth Opportunities, go to www.youth.nsw.gov.au