The 22 successful applications include:
- The creation of a refugee youth empowerment committee to advocate for the wellbeing of young refugees and migrants.
- The development of a digital tool for and by young people in the Adelaide Hills.
- Bringing an award-winning Cabaret artist to Whyalla to combat the stigma around menstruation.
This year, the Commissioner received 56 applications from local councils, sports clubs, universities, multicultural groups, schools and non-government organisations with a diverse range of requests under the three grant categories:
- Child and Youth Engagement Grants, which fund projects that facilitate active conversations with children and young people about matters that affect them.
- Community Conversation Grants, which promote the participation of children and young people in the decisions, policies and services that impact their lives.
- Period Grants that fund efforts to raise awareness, deliver educational opportunities, provide period products and reduce stigma for children and young people who menstruate.
Children and young people want to be heard, but they have very few opportunities to take a meaningful role in the decisions that affect them. These projects will help to give them the skills and opportunities to participate in decision making about the issues that they care about.
Children and young people have repeatedly told the Commissioner that they don’t understand how menstruation works, that they are embarrassed about asking for help, and that they often choose to miss out on school and activities because they are worried about leaking or not having access to products or clean toilets. Councils, sports clubs and other organisations will benefit from the funds which will raise awareness, help to reduce the stigma of menstruation, and provide free period products.
“I am delighted at the response to my Grants Program. Hundreds of children and young people from across South Australia will feel the benefit of these grants over the next 12 months and beyond.”
