- Recipients of the LGBTQIA+ Youth Empowerment Grants program announced
- 16 organisations awarded grants to deliver support and inclusion services to LGBTQIA+ young people
- Program aims to increase representation, engagement and participation
Organisations from across Western Australia will receive a funding boost to run initiatives that support LGBTQIA+ people as part of a $275,000 State Government program.
The grant program, administered by the Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA), aims to support initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ young people aged 10-25 years through increased representation, engagement, and participation with a focus on decision-making.
YACWA, in partnership with the Department of Communities, has awarded grants of up to $25,000 to 16 projects that help promote inclusion and access. These grants will empower LGBTQIA+ young people to become leaders, advocates and take their rightful place in discussions that impact their community.
Projects include mentoring, leadership and personal development programs.
The funding was peer-assessed by an independent panel comprising of a mix of young people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, alongside a selection of long-term youth workers.
As stated by Youth Minister Simone McGurk:
“LGBTQIA+ young people continue to experience prejudice and discrimination in their lives, which is why this Government is committed to elevating their voices and making their development and engagement a core priority.
“These grants will also assist LGBTQIA+ young people and support organisations to build the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to be actively involved in community life and respond to issues impacting their lives.
“Thank you to the Youth Affairs Council of WA for their role in administering these grants and for their ongoing support of LGBTQIA+ young people.”
| Organisation | Project Name | Region | Funded Amount |
| WA AIDS Council Incorporated (WAAC) | Youth Pride 2023 | South-West | $25,000 |
| Goldfields Pride Inc. | KB Pride Festival 2023 | Goldfields | $10,000 |
| Youth Focus, headspace & City of Swan | Our Place: A Safe Space | Swan | $25,000 |
| UWA Sport Pty Ltd | LGBTIQA+ Allyship in Sport Program | Perth | $25,000 |
| The Family Planning Association of Western Australia (Inc.) | Building and Supporting Educational Inclusivity – BASE Project | State-wide | $25,000 |
| Blackwood Youth Action Inc. | Queer Connect | South-West | $9730 |
| Shire of East Pilbara | The Voice – Free to be me | Pilbara | $23,420 |
| City of South Perth | Perfectly Queer | South Perth | $3,650 |
| Milligan Community Learning and Resource Centre | LGBTIQA+ Mentor Program | South-West | $20,000 |
| City of Fremantle | Safe Space by the Bookcase | Fremantle | $13,000 |
| St Vincent de Paul Society (WA) Inc. | Empowering Diverse Young People | Perth | $5,610 |
| headspace Fremantle | LGBTQIA+ group at headspace Fremantle | Fremantle | $8,860 |
| Rainbow Community House | Mentoring Madness | Perth | $25,000 |
| YMCA of Western Australia Youth and Community Services Inc. | Kokoda Leadership and Personal Development Program | State-wide | $20,000 |
| Western Australian Police and Community Youth Centres (Inc.) | Rainbow safeSPACE | South-West | $19,719 |
| Town of Victoria Park | Advocacy and Arts | Victoria Park | $15,701 |
