Community groups offering programs designed to reduce youth crime are now eligible to apply for $3 million in funding earmarked in this year’s Queensland Budget.
The Government has announced a new round of funding is open for community organisations to apply for up to $300,000 each under the Community Partnership Innovation Grants.
It is the second round of grants announced – with applications being encouraged from not-for-profit groups, the social services and health sectors, Aboriginal and Torres Islander Elders and community-controlled organisations, businesses and social enterprises, and academics.
Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard said on Thursday that individuals, families and communities all had a critical role to play when it came to preventing and reducing youth offending.
“These efforts can be critical in preventing youth offending – given local communities are often the first to see when a young person disconnects from family, stops attending school or shows anti-social behaviour,” Ms Linard said.
“There’s no single solution to curb youth crime – we have to think outside of the box, and we have to do that in conjunction with local communities.”
Earlier this year, the Government introduced the grants scheme after receiving feedback from local communities that wanted to be part of the youth crime solution.
“We received a great response to the first round of funding, so I’m looking forward to seeing what projects will be submitted by the community under the second round,” Ms Linard said.
She said projects chosen through the initiative would complement a wide range of Queensland Government measures that were already in place, including early intervention programs to reduce youth offending.
“There is a strong desire amongst communities to help vulnerable young people achieve a better life. In many communities there are already innovative initiatives in place that just need some funding to get off the ground,” she said.
“The experience and knowledge that local communities bring to the table can only strengthen our response to keep communities safe while supporting young people to make positive contributions.”
Up to $300,000 will be available for individual projects, as part of the $3 million allocated to the grants scheme in the 2022–23 State Budget.
Applications for round two can be submitted until 30 January 2023 through Smarty Grants.
For information on the Community Partnership Innovation Grant scheme, visit the website.
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will this grant be offered in 2024