Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh today announced that East Gippsland Shire Council would be one of the 134 recipients of the Engage! and FReeZA grant programs for 2025-2027, funding activities for young Victorians aged 12 to 25.
The Shire will receive funding for its ENGAGE – Tomorrow's Leaders Today program - hoped to provide local youth people with a genuine youth led, program.
The program will help them gain experience to plan, participate and deliver inclusive peer initiatives, challenging them to build lifelong skills and confidence and create opportunities to engage in community planning and leadership opportunities.
Engage! grants, which range from $60,000 to $180,000, and FReeZA grants, which provide $45,000 to $120,000, are three-year funding streams that support community organisations, local governments, and social enterprises.
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.
For more information on the programs visit vic.gov.au/engage-2025-2027 and vic.gov.au/freeza-2025-27.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman
“FReeZA and Engage! empower Victoria’s young people to shape their communities, find their voices and unlock their potential.”
“These grants will ensure that young people have the support and resources they need to thrive and contribute to our state into the future.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh
“Investing in our youth is good for kids, good for communities, and good for the future – I wish all young people in the East Gippsland program every success with this initiative.”
Quote attributable to East Gippsland Shire Mayor Cr John White
“This grant is a vote of confidence in our region's young people and reflects a strong commitment to youth-led, adult-guided initiatives. We thank the Government for this support. By creating a platform for young people to pitch ideas, develop skills and influence community planning, we are breaking barriers and proving their voices matter.”
“Our Youth Ambassadors will play a key role in this work, reaching across East Gippsland to ensure young voices are heard and valued. By leading change and helping shape community priorities, they are showing the power of youth-led action to create a more resilient, connected region.”
