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2025/26 Youth Projects Grant Program

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This is a preview of the 2025/26 Youth Projects Darebin Community Grant Application Form form. When you’re ready to apply, click Fill Out Now to begin.
 

Before Applying

Information

1. Before applying, please read the 2025/2026 Darebin Community Grants Program's Information & Guidelines, available at: 2025/26 Community Grants Guidelines

2. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Only not-for-profit groups and organisations can apply.

3. This form is for applications for Youth Project Grants  only. The maximum amount available for this grant is $5,000

Projects that address local wellbeing and equity issues, climate emergency, that provide leadership opportunities and increase learning and skill development in young people are encouraged. Grant applications must provide evidence of community need and a clear benefit young people.

Priority will be given to projects that address issues faced by diverse young people and demonstrate well established youth-led practices that place young people at the centre of all design and implementation.

4. Applications should have a direct benefit to Darebin's young people and aligns with the Families Youth and Children Strategies following focus areas and priorities: 

FOCUS AREAS

PRIORITIES FOR YOUTH PROJECTS

Essentials for life Priorities

· Supporting all children, young people and families to have their basic needs  met, particularly those experiencing poverty and facing cost of living  pressures

· Supporting young people to access secure and rewarding employment and career pathways

 

Inclusion & belonging

· Making Darebin a community where everyone feels included, valued and connected

· Welcoming and inclusive places and services for all

· Opportunities to participate and connect

Health & wellbeing

· Supporting physical activity for health, wellbeing and connection

· Improving mental health and wellbeing and strengthening mental health supports

· Connection to nature and access to thriving natural environments that support wellbeing

· Affordable and accessible health services and supports.

Safety and independence

· Physical, cultural, emotional and psychological safety in all settings and services

·Safe streets and public spaces for all children, young people and families

· Preventing family violence and keeping children safe from abuse and harm

· Respecting and supporting young people’s independence, self-determination and right to make choices and take risks in order to learn, grow and build resilience.

 

Learning

· Ensuring access to inclusive, safe, supportive and high-quality learning opportunities for all

· Increasing active participation and engagement in learning across the lifespan

· Supporting children and young people through their education journeys  including through     critical transition points

· Preparing children and young people for the future.

Applications should also address:

  • Local priorities through new, innovative and creative approaches
  • Promote active participation of Darebin's young people, especially those who have been identified as 'at risk' of exclusion such as people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, young women, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait people, people with disability, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, low income earners, recently arrived migrants, refugees, people seeking asylum, LGBTIQA+  people.
  • Provide an alternative to Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) and reduce the harm associated with EGM use. 

5. How will the Grant Application be assessed?

Council assesses each application on its merits. Eligible applications will be assessed using the questions and criteria listed below. The percentage weightings are provided as a guide to the importance of each question in the assessment process:

Community need (25%)

  • Does the application support the priority areas?
  • Does the project address the community need?

Community benefit (25%)

  • Does the proposal identify the expected outputs and outcomes?
  • Is there a clear link between the community need, the community outcomes and the activities that will be delivered?
  • Does the application address environmental sustainability?

Equity and Inclusion (30%)

  • Does the proposal engage group/s who are 'at risk' of discrimination or exclusion?
  • Does the application address issues of social exclusion or barriers to participation?

Budget and planning (20%)

  • Is the application well planned and achievable within the timeframe?
  • Does the budget accurately reflect the scope and scale of the application

6.Each year, we receive an increasing number of applications and Council is unable to fund 100% of all applications. As such, applications might be awarded an amount which is less than the amount requested (please refer to the Financial Information section of this application form).

7. Only one Youth Project  grant application per organisation will be accepted. Eligible applicants may also choose to apply for a Venue Hire Support Grant (Refer to Community Grants Guidelines 2025/2026).

8. Closing date for applications is Saturday 31 May 2025 at 11.59pm (end of day). Late applications cannot be accepted.