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Youth Participation and Access

The Youth Participation and Access Program 2009-2011 provides funding to local government and community organisations to engage with, and provide early support activities for, vulnerable young people to participate in their community.

The $12.3 million YPA program funds organisations across the state to deliver 100 local support services.

While many young people are doing well, some have trouble getting involved in their communities because of barriers like their background, their sexual preference or because where they live is geographically isolated or socially disadvantaged.

Information for program providers

The information for program providers includes important details and tools to help organisations to successfully deliver the program.

Program Goal

The goal of the program is to build strong, active and inclusive communities by assisting young people to have the opportunities, skills and recognition for contributing to a full range of social, learning and cultural activities.

Program Objectives

In line with the Victorian Government’s commitment to young people through Future Directions: An Action Agenda for Young Victorians, the Youth Participation and Access Program will facilitate pathways and transition support through locally planned activities and services, that:

• increase the skills, confidence and ability of young people to actively participate in cultural, social, learning and economic opportunities in their community;
• strengthen connections for young people with peers, family and community;
• increase young people’s understanding of how to access information and support services they need; and
• improve the recognition, celebration and promotion of young people’s achievements;
• increase collaboration between non-government organisations, local community, business, and government.

YPA Priority Target Group

The YPA Priority Target Group focuses on supporting vulnerable young people who face additional barriers to participation in their community. Specifically YPA targets young people between 12 -25 years of age including:

• culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD);
• with disabilities;
• newly arrived/refugee;
• Indigenous;
• same-sex attracted;
• experiencing socio-economic disadvantage;
• rurally isolated areas; and
• localities with rapid population growth.

Program Activities

Organisations are encouraged to deliver a mix of program activities and support services, including:

• Civic engagement
• Capacity building
• Life-skills
• Social enterprise
• Information and referral services and
• Mentoring
• Mediation

YPA In-Action Booklet

For further information on the YPA Program, please download the YPA In Action Booklet. The booklet was officially launched by The Minister for Youth Affairs the Honourable James Merlino in Morwell, on the 16 December 2008. The booklet provides interesting information on the YPA Program through case studies from across Victoria.
YPA In-Action Booklet (Part 1) (PDF 1875 kb)
YPA In-Action Booklet (Part 2) (PDF 1897 kb) or (Word 158 kb)

YPA Program 2009-2011 Grants

Successful applicants for the YPA program have been selected for the period of 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. Successful applicants demonstrated excellent youth participation approaches and a sound knowledge of the needs of young people, as well as the capacity to deliver activities that will enhance opportunities for young Victorians to participate in their local communities.


This page contains downloadable documents. In order to view PDF documents you will require Adobe Reader. To view other file types such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint and ZIP, other tools may be required.

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