Grants open for LGBTI Youth Projects in Victoria

purpledayThe Victorian Government has announced a $160,000 round of small grants for projects that support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) young people and promote their rights, health and wellbeing. The announcement marks Wear It Purple day, which is about respecting and supporting LGBTI young people to be proud of who they are.

Victoria’s LGBTI communities are full of creative people with great ideas about how to make our communities safer and more respectful places. I look forward to the great projects that will be supported by these grants,” says Minister for Equality Martin Foley.

“Equality is not negotiable for this Government. While we work to remove discrimination from Victorian laws, we are proud to support individuals and organisations who are working to remove it from our society.”

Grants ranging from $10,000 – $40,000 are available for innovative projects that support the well-being of LGBTI young people, including initiatives such as social support and activity groups, gay/straight alliances, and information and referral.

The grants program will be administered by the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) as part of the Healthy Equal Youth project. The HEY Project aims to raise awareness, promote acceptance of diversity, eliminate stigma and discrimination, and improve mental health, including tackling suicide in young LGBTI people.

The grants funding is part of the $5.9 million secured by the Andrews Labor Government in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget to support programs that promote the rights, mental health and wellbeing of LGBTI Victorians.

For more information about how to apply, visit: www.yacvic.org.au for details.