Youth Week Grants

Any non-profit organisation that is incorporated, or auspiced by an incorporated organisation, can apply for up to $1500 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 applications need to address both Youth Week objectives and actions in Council's Youth Strategy.(PDF, 44MB)

Objectives of Youth Week in NSW include:

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

• 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, and

• Activities, that occurs outside the Youth Week dates without written approval.

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 (eg 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 – “This Youth Week initiative is sponsored by Lake Macquarie City Council”. Council’s logo may be used but must be approved by Council’s Communication team before circulation.

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 in early 2025. 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 4921 0333 or email [email protected]