State Funding Propels Creation of New Local Youth Events Committee

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman today announced that Ararat Rural City Council will receive a grant of $165,000 through the Engage! 2025 – 2027 program, which funds activities for young Victorians aged 12 to 25. 

The funding will go towards establishing an exciting new group called the Youth Events, Activities & Happenings (YEAH) Committee. The committee will be made of young people from our community, who will gain new skills and confidence by developing, organising, promoting and delivering youth-led events, activities and happenings throughout the municipality.

In early 2025, young people interested in joining the YEAH Committee will be able to submit an Expression of Interest via the Engage Ararat site. The opening of the Expression of Interest window will be promoted across Council's social media channels and newsletters, while local schools and organisations will be invited to share the opportunity with young people in their communities.

The Victorian Government’s Engage! program provides grants to organisations across the state to co-design and deliver a diverse range of youth participation and engagement activities. It supports projects which empower young people contribute to their community while building skills and confidence, and encouraging creativity. 

This includes supporting programs that strengthen and assist the wellbeing of young people, with a focus on fostering leadership and youth empowerment through education and cultural activities.

"Council are thrilled to have secured funding through the Victorian Government’s Engage! program to establish this new committee,” says Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong. “Alongside the opportunity to develop their own ideas into delivered events, the committee will nurture the kind of confidence and leadership which set our community’s young people up for personal growth and future success.”