Youth Opportunities Program 2024/25 - Round 13 (2024)

Under this Program, eligible organisations are:

• incorporated not-for-profit community organisations operating in NSW
• NSW Local Councils

For the purposes of this program, organisations deemed to be ‘incorporated not-for-profit community organisations’ operating in NSW include:

• incorporated organisations that are registered and approved as not-for-profit bodies by NSW Fair Trading
• not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee, registered in NSW (it is preferred but not essential that the applicant organisation in this case holds a valid ACNC registration and/or DGR status)
• not-for-profit companies limited by shares, registered in NSW (must be non-dividend distributing)
• associations (registered under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 with NSW Fair Trading)
• cooperatives (registered under a relevant Act of Parliament)
• religious organisations (registered as one of the above or established under an Act of Parliament).

Marginalised young people 12 – 24 years of age who are transitioning from childhood to adulthood and from dependence to independence.Young people who face marginalisation may include but are not limited to young people transitioning from Out of Home Care, young people experiencing homelessness, young people from low socio-economic backgrounds, young people with a disability, young carers, or young people in contact with the justice system.

The program seeks to fund a diverse range of projects from across NSW, particularly in rural and regional areas, and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse organisations.

Note: projects do not need to cater to all ages. Applicants are encouraged to consider the practicality of keeping age groups close in range i.e 12-14, 15-17, 18-20, and 21-24. Applicants can stream project groups into older/younger teams/groups if warranted, so that activities are more age appropriate.

Projects should focus on giving young people the opportunity to develop a range of skills, including

• life skills and healthy behaviors
• leadership, communication and teamwork
• event management and planning
• volunteering opportunities that link young people to further education and training.

Projects will commence 01 March 2025 and have till 30 May 2026 to complete all activities.

The project should be started by 1 March 2025 and the project must be completed by 30 May 2026.

Funded projects are expected to contribute towards the following outcomes:

Project Outcomes (short-term)

Increased participation in youth-led and youth-driven community activities indicated by

• the number of youth-led and youth-driven community projects funded per round,
• the number of marginalised youngpeople directly involved in the planning, design and delivery of the project as volunteers, and
• the number of volunteer hours spent on the planning, design and delivery of the project.

Marginalised young people address and overcome barriers to participation indicated by

• the number of marginalised young people that attend and participate in events/activities as part of the project.

Marginalised young people participate in activities that strengthen their connection to their local community indicated by

• the number of youth-led and youth-driven community events/activities held as part of the project.

Marginalised young people learn a range of skills that strengthen their ability to participate in their local community and support future social and economic participation indicated by

• the numberof marginalised young people that undergo training (formal or informal) as part of the project.

Marginalised young people’s contributions are recognised and valued indicated by

• the number of recognition activities and events that were held as part of the project.

Program Outcomes (medium-term)

Marginalised young people feel a sense of choice and control (self-determination) in their lives indicated by

• the proportion of marginalised young people who report being involved in decision making throughout the project.

Marginalised young people feel a sense of connection and belonging to their local communitiesindicated by

• the proportion of marginalised young people who report feeling a sense of belonging in the place and community where they live and
• the proportion of marginalised young people who plan to continue to volunteer within their community.

Project Budget

A detailed budget outlining all project related expenses is required as part of the grant application. The following funding limits apply to all applications:

• a reasonable portion of the budget can be used for project coordination, including the reimbursem*nt of your young volunteers for pre-identified or agreed expenses (the cost of volunteering should not be a barrier to participation for a young person)
• up to 10% of the budget can be used for minor administration costs (promotion, marketing, printing, stationary, postage, external bookkeeping fees if required)
• up to 15% of the budget can be used to purchase minor equipment (applicants must demonstrate the need for these purchases in their application)
• up to 10% of the budget can be used for catering

Note: funds can only be used for expenses/activities directly associated with the implementation of the project.

• Commonwealth or State Government agencies
• schools (including Parents and Citizens Associations), a university or TAFE college
• individuals or sole traders
• commercial for-profit organisations
• sub-contractors engaged to manage or deliver the project on behalf of non-eligible organisations

Funding must not be used for:

• any activity of a commercial nature that is for profit
• interstate or overseas travel, scholarships and/or conference attendance
• case-management or counseling services for young people
• business as usual costs or general operating expenses such as rent, insurance, electricity, water, rates or the running of other programs within the organisation
• costs that are not directly associated with the implementation or delivery of the project
• capital works (e.g. establishing or refurbishing a youth center/space)
• large equipment purchases (e.g. vehicles)
• existing projects/programs
• projects that deliver outcomes under the school curriculum. Projects that intend on using school grounds or school facilities, cannot be run as part of the school curriculum or other areas of school responsibility

Projects must not include:

• school projects that are part of the curriculum or other areas of schoolresponsibility
• interstate or overseas travel, scholarships and/or conference attendance
• case management or counseling for young people
• religious festivals, rituals, events or promotions, except multi-faith events that involve young people from more than one religion
• major capital works (e.g. establishing or refurbishing a youth center)
• large equipment purchases (e.g. vehicles)
• costs that are not directly associated with the implementation or delivery of the project
• operating expenses such as rent, insurance, electricity, water, rates
• funding towards the running of other programs within the organisation
• existing projects or programs.

Projects should focus on giving young people the opportunity to develop a range of skills, such as, but not limited to:

• life skills and healthy behaviors
• leadership, communication and teamwork
• event management and planning
• volunteering opportunities that link young people to further education and training.

Types of projects can include, but are not limited to:

• mentoring programs
• workshops and events
• creative arts programs e.g. visual arts, theater, songwriting
• life skills, training and professional development programs
• community networking
• work readiness programs
• health and wellbeing events
• financial literacy workshops
• digital literacy training.

Projects funded under the Youth Opportunities program are to involve young people at every stage of the project. It is expected that young people will take an active role in identifying, designing and implementing these projects.

Projects are required to meet the following objectives:

1. Partner with marginalised young people to deliver a youth-led and youth-driven community project
2. Improve marginalised young people’s access to and inclusion in community activities such as sport and recreation, cultural and other activities
3. Provide marginalised young people with knowledge and skills to strengthen their ability to participate in their local community and support future social and economic participation
4. Recognise the contributions marginalised young people make to their local community.