The Youth Week Grants Program is designed for young people to express their ideas and views, act on issues that affect their lives, and create and enjoy activities and events.

Who can apply for funds?

Any non-profit organisation that is incorporated, or auspiced by an incorporated organisation, can apply for up to $1,500 to fund National Youth Week activities or events. The event must occur within the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area and be for young people aged 12-24 years.

A Youth Week Committee will assess the applications and allocate funding. Applications that do not adhere to the funding criteria and do not address all the questions may not be deemed eligible.

Young people are to be actively involved in the planning, delivery and evaluation of National Youth Week activities. Particular effort must be made to include young people who identify as being disadvantaged through cultural background, disability, parental status, geographically isolated, socioeconomic status, at risk of early school leaving, young women, and/or young offenders.

To ensure your application has the best chance of success, the application needs to address both Youth Week objectives (below) and at least one action listed in our draft Lake Macquarie Youth Strategy Action Plan(PDF, 97KB).

Objective of Youth Week in NSW is to:

• share ideas
• attend live events
• have young voices heard on issues that concern them
• showcase their talents
• celebrate their contribution to the community
• take part in competitions
• have fun

What activities/events cannot be funded?

• activities where the funds have already been spent (eg retrospective funding, budget deficits)
• contributions to an organisation's general operating expenses or management costs
• arrangements or commitments which are incompatible or inconsistent with the aim or objectives of National Youth Week
• activities that occur outside the Youth Week dates without written approval

Legal and promotional requirements

Applicants will be required to provide Council with evidence of their public liability insurance (certificate of currency) prior to receiving any funds. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they have all the necessary insurances to cover themselves for any claims that may arise from the proposed event/activity (Workers’ Compensation, Volunteers Insurance etc).

Applicants are also responsible for ensuring that all workers and volunteers that are associated with the project have undergone a Working with Children Check. If the event/activity is to take place on a Council facility or park, then the applicant is required to book the desired location using the park booking form.

Successful applicants are required to acknowledge Council in promotional materials produced using the wording by including Council's 'sponsored by' logo Use of this logo must be approved by Council’s Communication team before circulation.

NSW Government must also be acknowledged in promotional materials. Logos can be found in the NSW Youth Week media kit

The application process

The Youth Week Grants Committee will assess the applications and make recommendations about the allocation of funding. The Committee’s membership consists of two Councillors, Council’s Community Planner Youth, the Lake Macquarie Youth Development Officer and three youth representatives from the Lake Macquarie Youth Council.

The committee's preferred applications will be reported to Council. Final confirmation and funding announcement is dependent upon Council acceptance of the recommendations. Council’s Community Planner Youth & Safer Communities may provide assistance with your Youth Week project upon request.

For further information, please contact our Customer Service team on 02 4921 0333 or email youthsafety@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

**No closing date provided. Please confirm with the issuer. **