National Youth Week and Seniors Festival grants open

10 November 2020

Applications are open for Bega Valley Shire Council’s National Youth Week grants and Seniors Festival grants.

National Youth Week grants opened to applicants today, to help contribute to youth-focused free events and activities for next year. National Youth Week is Australia’s largest celebration of young people aged 12 to 25 years.

“Not-for-profit and community groups are encouraged to apply for up to $1,000 to work with young people on the planning and delivery of events that celebrate the positive contribution young people bring to our communities,” Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said.

“The funding supports events and activities that promote positive images of young people to the wider community and increase community awareness of young people and the issues important to them.”

Council’s survey of young people conducted in June this year showed many are keen to get involved and create events in their community. Applicants are encouraged to check out the Youth Speak survey results when preparing their project ideas.

The Seniors Festival grants will help not-for-profit community organisations and community groups run free events and activities as part of the 2021 festival, which will be celebrated between 17 and 28 March next year.

“We recognise and value older members of our community; they have such a diversity of experience and knowledge and are an asset to the Shire,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.

“Our seniors make enormous social and economic contributions through caring for family and friends, volunteering, advisory roles and broader community participation.”

Grants of up to $1,000 are provided to help fund free creative, sporting, recreational or cultural Seniors Festival activities.

“These activities will help our seniors stay healthy, and remain mobile and socially connected, which is particularly important after this harrowing year.”

Applications for Seniors Festival grants close on 30 November and National Youth Week grants close 7 December.