New grants to encourage young people into parks

Tuesday 29 May, 2012

Parks Victoria’s Health Parks Healthy People (HPHP) Active in Parks program aims to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of communities by increasing their access to and visitation of parks, with a specific focus on communities who typically have low rates of park visitation. These communities include young people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with a disabilities and the aged.

As part of this program, the YDiscover Parks Youth Grants 2012 have been established to support the development of projects that introduce young people to the breadth of positive experiences that can be had outdoors within the park environment.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) in partnership with Parks Victoria is administrating the YDiscover Parks Youth Grants 2012.

What are the YDiscover Parks Grants?

The YDiscover Parks Youth Grants 2012 is a small grants program aimed at supporting organisations and groups who work with youth people, aged 12 to 25 years, to develop and explore innovative and interesting ways for young people to experience the benefits of being outdoors in a park.

The purpose of the grant is to provide funding to support projects that use parks as venues for young people. The objective of this grants program is:

• To support the development and facilitation of innovative projects within a park setting that will enhance the health and wellbeing of young people
• To introduce young people to the different experiences and activities that can be done within a park setting
• To strengthen partnerships between young people, the youth and community sector, and Parks Victoria and its’ parks

What type of projects might befunded?

The Y Discover Parks Grants 2012 will support activities, projects and/or initiatives that will encourage and enable young people to have a meaningful experience in the outdoors (specifically in a park managed by Parks Victoria).

Examples of possible project ideas that would be considered include:

• Recreation and personal development activities i.e. canoeing, abseiling or  bushwalking
• Arts and cultural events i.e. photography or creative writing programs that occur within a park setting
• Skill development activities i.e. tree planting or volunteering

There is a total grant pool of $25,000 and applicants can apply for up to $5,000. Eligible applications will:

• Involve young people aged between 12 and 25 years.
• Detail a project (or activity) that will occur in a park setting managed by Parks Victoria. Visit the Parks Victoria website (www.parksweb.vic.gov.au) to find a park in your area. Projects that do not have a component in which young people will visit a Parks Victoria park will not be eligible.
• At a minimum directly involve young people visiting or having an experience within a park. Projects that also introduce young people to parks indirectly (e.g. information provision etc) will be looked upon
• Demonstrate a history or past experience with engaging young people

Projects that will not be funded are those that: (1) detail a request for the purchase, maintenance or upgrading of facilities and (2) are for commercial organisations or bodies established for profit-marking purchases.

How can you apply?

Applications must be submitted via email by 9 am Monday 16 of July 2012. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The completed application form must be emailed to Clare Wynne, Parks Victoria Youth Partnership Coordinator, email address vdo@yacvic.org.au.

For more information

To ask any questions about the YDiscover Parks Youth Grants 2012 or discuss your project idea you can contact Clare Wynne at vdo@yacvic.org.au or call her on 0402 822 488.