The Queensland Government is committed to reducing youth crime and increasing community safety through early intervention. As part of this commitment, $65 million has been allocated across five years to fund Proven Initiatives, a program designed to support established early intervention initiatives with a proven track record of success.

Proven Initiatives is a central part of the Queensland Government’s Gold Standard Early Intervention (GSEI) program, which focuses on re-engaging youth positively in community life. It provides funding for regionally focused programs that work with youth aged 8–17 who are demonstrating early signs of criminal or anti-social behaviours.

These programs aim to:

• divert youth from crime
• increase participation in education, training, or employment
• foster community engagement and positive participation
• build connections between youth and their local communities.

In 2025, the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support (DYJVS) will undertake a multi-stage procurement approach to service design, establishment and delivery for Proven Initiatives.

The Queensland Government is now inviting suitably qualified organisations to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) to demonstrate their proven track record in delivering successful early intervention programs that reduce youth crime.

Proven Initiatives will fund regionally focused programs that address the unique needs of youth in local communities. Examples of eligible programs:

• Mentorship and skill development: Individual or group mentoring to address pro-criminal attitudes, behaviours, and peer influences
• Education and employment readiness: Programs that help youth re-engage with school, gain vocational skills, or prepare for the workforce.
• Pro-social activities: Recreational and leisure activities that promote positive behaviours and long-term community engagement
• Family support: Initiatives that work with families to strengthen their capacity to support youth and maintain connections to positive activities.

Programs must demonstrate the capacity to deliver sustained engagement, particularly for youth who have experienced multiple service contacts without lasting change.

To be eligible for funding under Proven Initiatives, organisations must meet the following requirements:

• Programs must work with youth aged 8–17 who are:

— displaying early signs of criminal or anti-social behaviours (e.g. drug and alcohol misuse, anger management issues)

— disengaged from school or at high risk of exclusion

— at risk of coming into contact with police or court systems

— siblings of youth on Youth Justice orders

• Programs must demonstrate measurable success in:

— reducing youth offending

— increasing participation in education, training, or employment

— fostering community engagement and positive participation.

• Programs must:

— be structured, evidence-based, holistic, and therapeutic

— be tailored to the diverse needs of youth, including being culturally responsive where appropriate

— be flexible, place-based, and responsive to local needs

— be designed in consultation with the local community

— include availability outside of normal business hours (e.g. evenings, weekends, public holidays) to meet community demand

— have been operational in Queensland within the last 12 months.

What programs will be funded?

Proven Initiatives will fund regionally focused programs that address the unique needs of youth in local communities. Examples of eligible programs:

• Mentorship and skill development: Individual or group mentoring to address pro-criminal attitudes, behaviours, and peer influences

• Education and employment readiness: Programs that help youth re-engage with school, gain vocational skills, or prepare for the workforce.

• Pro-social activities: Recreational and leisure activities that promote positive behaviours and long-term community engagement

• Family support: Initiatives that work with families to strengthen their capacity to support youth and maintain connections to positive activities.

Programs must demonstrate the capacity to deliver sustained engagement, particularly for youth who have experienced multiple service contacts without lasting change.