One local council is trying to use the annual youth week as the lynchpin for improving services and activities for young people.
Camden Council has identified six avenues towards such improvements in its Camden 2040 plan.
Now it wants anyone seeking funding for youth week activities to reflect at least one of those six criteria.
Council offers dollar for dollar grants up to $500.
It has started calling on local youth services and community groups to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) towards a project, activity or event to be held during the 2017 National Youth Week.
It will be held from Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 9.
Mayor of Camden Cr Lara Symkowiak said council was seeking innovative projects that provided an opportunity for young people aged 12 to 25 to express their ideas and views on matters at a local level.
“We’re particularly interested in receiving EOIs to address youth needs and increase community awareness about topics that are important to local young people,’’ the mayor said.
“We also want to highlight young people’s contributions to the local Camden community.
“We’ve identified some core themes in the Camden 2040 plan and there are six directions that relate to Youth Week. Applications must address at least one of these six directions.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“I invite all local members who work in youth services, young people and community groups to submit their applications and share their ideas to continue to grow youth opportunities and services within the Camden local area,” Cr Symkowiak said.[/social_quote]
The six Camden 2040 plan directions are:
• Facilitating community connections, inclusion, resilience and sense of belonging through the provision and support of a broad range of events, facilities, organisations and activities;
• Enhancing opportunities for full engagement in community, recreational and economic life for all people in the community through appropriate planning, consultation, services, activities and advocacy, with a particular focus on young people;
• A commitment to a coordinated and early approach to the planning, funding and delivery of services from government, non-government agencies and local community organisations;
• Availability of up-to-date and easily accessible information about local services, facilities, groups and organisations to enable all residents to access the opportunities they need within their local community;
• Supporting and encouraging the shared use of facilities and spaces through the development of and provision of multi-purpose facilities and programs which create better value through the greater use, improved collaboration, and strong partnerships between organisations;
• A commitment to effective partnerships and open communication between government, non-government agencies, local business and industry, community groups and organisations, and local residents to deliver coordinated and effective outcomes for the Camden area.
Applications for youth week funding close midnight on Friday, December 12.
Groups and organisations seeking to apply for this funding must also meet the priorities set out by National Youth Week. These can be found here.
For application enquiries please email youth@camden.nsw.gov.au
