Change It Up


Change It Up is taking applications:

Imagine what you could do tomorrow if you start today

Change It Up energises and engages young people aged 16 to 19 living in regional and rural Australia who have an interest in sparking change in their local communities. In partnership with teams of local citizens, Change It Up ignites and empowers young people to have a voice and to act on issues that are important to them and to their communities. Working within the communities, Change It Up delivers an intensive program of workshops and community development activities that strengthen the change making capabilities of local young people. Follow up support consolidates skills and networks to put ideas into practice and help youth in rural and regional Australia soar to greater heights.

Change It Up: Initiative Summary (PDF)

 

Why?

Young people living in regional and rural communities can face social isolation and related issues such as increased mental and physical health problems and reduced education and employment outcomes. Active participation in civic life is associated with a greater sense of belonging and wellbeing and quality of life. Marginalised young people who are contributors in their community will also experience a reduced sense of isolation and social exclusion, as well as a higher self-reported sense of community. – Evans, 2007

We want our young people to go on a journey that unleashes their innovative ideas and accelerates them into the Australian change making landscape. – Jan Owen AM, CEO, FYA

Change It Up enables young people in remote regions of Australia to access social engagement structure and support that is often unavailable to them. It’s a unique opportunity to fire up their imagination of young people. Amplify optimism in small Australian communities. Generate energy amongst local government, business and local community citizens; and, above all, shine a light on the possibilities and alternative futures our young people can offer.

 

Objectives

Change It Up aims to support and nurture the change making action of young people living in regional and remote Australian communities by:

  • sparking change making ideas
  • providing learning support and seed funding to develop ideas
  • building local community connections that help to sustain and enhance change making ideas
  • recognising young people’s essential contributions to the economic and social

 

Outcomes

Change It Up is making a difference across Australia – for rural and regional youth as well as their communities – by building confidence in individuals, strengthening community networks and activating real change. Giving the tools of change to inspired young people has an effect on all generations, inspiring courage, imagination and will.

 

Change It Up in regional Victoria is a partnership between the Victorian Government and the Foundation for Young Australians that supports rural and regional young people to make positive changes in their local community.