The Palaszczuk Government is calling for applications for new and innovative community-based projects aimed at preventing and reducing youth offending. Minister for Youth Justice Leanne Linard said the $3 million Community Partnership Innovation Grant initiative will open in early November and follows a pilot of the scheme earlier this year. “Local communities are often the first to see a young person disengage and wherever I go across Queensland, communities tell me they want to be part of the solution and have their ideas heard and supported. “We listened to this feedback, launched the Community Partnership Innovation Grants, and now we’re extending the program. “Every community is different, which means it’s important to find solutions specifically tailored and targeted at local issues. “I look forward to seeing organisations, individuals and groups submit their proposals, because I know that by working together, we can improve community safety.”
Ms Linard said the grants have already harnessed innovative ideas and local expertise within Queensland communities. “We received an excellent response when we introduced this initiative in April this year, with 116 applications submitted from across the state,” she said. “The response showed many individuals and organisations are more than willing to step up and help address the underlying issues that cause some young people to offend. “The first round of grants is funding interventions for at-risk young people and those leaving detention, as well as extra support to help them access education and training opportunities. The initiative also funded a program that targets young people stealing cars and Elders conducting cautions based on police referrals.” Ms Linard said while preventing and reducing youth offending is a priority for the government, the wider community has a critical role to play. “Now is the time for community groups and organisations to start having these conversations about the types of projects they think are effective,” she said. “In the lead up to the release of the grants, I encourage people to bring forward their ideas. In most cases initiatives are already on the ground but need support to progress or grow. Applications for the short-term, one-off grants of up to $300,000 must align with one or all the priorities outlined in the Queensland Government’s Youth Justice Strategy. The priorities are to intervene early, keep children out of court and custody and reduce offending.
The second round of the Community Innovation Partnership Grants 2022–23 will open in early November and closes on 30 January 2023, with successful applicants expected to commence their programs in early March 2023.
