Department of Communities, through the Youth portfolio, currently has four key areas of focus to improve outcomes for all young people in Western Australia aged 10 to 25 years:
- Youth development – to support young people to attain life skills, develop the knowledge and confidence needed to be involved in community life and to respond to issues impacting their lives.
- Youth engagement – to provide opportunities for young people to be involved in decisions that affect them, whether this is at the state or local level.
- Positive promotion of young people – initiatives that promote and value young people for who they are and the positive contribution they are making.
- Advocating on behalf of the needs of young people – raising awareness with stakeholders of the needs of young people, particularly related to decisions that affect them.
These focus areas are supported and achieved through the provision of funding to the sector through service and grant agreements for youth development programs and services.
The Department provides more than $6 million of funding every year to support:
- 180 active units within the Cadets WA program
- Nine Youth Development Services:
- Two Youth Support Services:
- the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia, the non-government peak body for the youth sector in Western Australia.
The Department also provides grant funding to the following organisations:
Youth Affairs Council of WA Inc - Youth Pride Network Project
The Department funds the Youth Affairs Council of WA to deliver the Youth Pride Network Project. This project established a systemic advocacy body for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and other diverse sex, sexuality and gender (LGBTIQA+) young people in Western Australia, which aims to ensure LGBTIQA+ people are included, accepted, and celebrated by their community.
To find out more about Youth Pride Network, please visit Youth Pride Network.
TransFolk of WA Incorporated - Youth Service Project
TransFolk of WA is a support service for all transgender people in WA, with face-to-face supports available in the Perth Metropolitan area, as well as online support platforms for people to engage with peer support and social groups across Western Australia. The Youth Service Project provides ongoing support and assistance for transgender, non-binary and gender diverse young people through weekly meetings, fortnightly workshops, online platforms and community connection.
To find out more about the Youth Service Project, please visit Transfolk of WA.
The MAN UP Initiative Incorporated - MAN UP Western Australia
MAN UP is a not-for-profit, peer-to-peer education service in WA, with the goal of empowering young men and redefining masculinity. The MAN UP Western Australia project aims to change the approach, behaviours, and language around modern masculinity through peer-to-peer education of young men regarding healthy relationships, positive coping strategies and supporting your mates.
To find out more about MAN UP, please visit the MAN UP Initiative.
Youth Work WA – Code of Ethics Review
Youth Work WA is the professional association for youth workers in Western Australia. The Department provided funding to Youth Work WA to review the Youth Work Code of Ethics and expand their code of ethics training. The revised code of ethics is anticipated to be released in late 2024.
To find out more about Youth Work WA and the Youth Work Code of Ethics please visit Youth Work WA.
