Aboriginal organisations can access grants of up to $335,000 over three years to deliver local mentoring programs designed and delivered in collaboration with Aboriginal young people.

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal organisations and communities to offer opportunities for Aboriginal young people to exercise self-determination in receiving the supports they need to thrive.

The Marram Nganyin Aboriginal Youth Mentoring Program has been running in Victoria since 2016–17. Marram Nganyin means ‘we are strong’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. The program is strengths-based and community-led. It focuses on primary prevention and early intervention.

The program aims to support Aboriginal young people to:

• be healthy and well.
• be confident and strong in their identity and culture.
• achieve their goals through study, training and work.

To achieve this, the program funds Aboriginal organisations to deliver local mentoring programs. The mentoring programs are designed and delivered in collaboration with Aboriginal young people. This model recognises that Aboriginal organisations best understand the needs of Aboriginal communities.

Successful applicants will get support from the Koorie Youth Council to design and deliver their programs. This recognises the statewide leadership role of the Koorie Youth Council as the representative body for Aboriginal young people in Victoria.

Information sessions

The department and Koorie Youth Council will host two information sessions.

Both information sessions will cover the same information, so please attend the date that suits you the most. The information sessions will be held online at the times below:

• Thursday, 28 September 2023, 10am to 11am. Register via Teams.
• Tuesday, 3 October 2023, 2pm to 3pm. Register via Teams.

A follow up information session will be organised, and details will be shared shortly. The aim of the follow up information session will be to answer any questions applicants might have during the application process.