The Victorian Government is supporting Aboriginal young people to achieve their aspirations and life goals through dedicated mentoring programs that support wellbeing, education and employment.

Minister for Youth Ros Spence today announced that grant applications for the Marram Nganyin Aboriginal Youth Mentoring Program are now open for Aboriginal organisations to deliver tailored mentoring programs in collaboration with local Aboriginal young people.

Marram Nganyin – meaning ‘we are strong’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people – supports Aboriginal young people to be healthy, confident and strong in their identity and culture, and engaged in their community.

The program is underpinned by the Government’s support for Aboriginal self-determination, recognising that Aboriginal organisations are best-placed to understand the needs of Aboriginal communities.

Successful grant recipients will be supported by the Koorie Youth Council, as the representative body for Aboriginal young people in Victoria, to design and deliver youth mentoring programs.

Funding of $1.1 million will support the program to be delivered from January 2022 to June 2023.

Victoria is proud to have the fastest growing Aboriginal population in Australia and the Government acknowledges the resilience and leadership of all young Aboriginal Victorians who have supported each other and stayed connected to their communities throughout the pandemic.

The program builds on the Government’s investment of $250,000 earlier this year in six Aboriginal organisations through the Aboriginal Youth Engagement Grants to deliver initiatives that boost social and emotional wellbeing, nurture talent and leadership, strengthen identity and culture and create pathways to jobs and education.

To find out more, visit youthcentral.vic.gov.au/get-involved/youth-programs-and-events.