The Ministry of Youth Development are set to open two new funding streams: Youth Development and Youth Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. 

The Youth Development funding stream supports the wellbeing of young people by funding holistic programmes and services that emphasise identity, belonging, connectedness and the strengths of young people. There is approximately $3 million available in this stream in 2019/2020. Applications will open on 28 January and close on 22 February 2019.

The Youth Enterprise and Entrepreneurship funding stream supports enterprise and entrepreneurship initiatives by young people, and the delivery of strengths-based business, enterprise, information and digital technology education and skills development, that help prepare young people for the future work environment. There is approximately $800,000 available in this stream in 2019/2020. Applications open on 11 March and close on 5 April 2019.

These funds aim to empower all young people (aged 12 to 24 years) to live the kinds of lives they value. There is a focus on supporting young people across the spectrum – Māori, Pacific, Rainbow, people with disabilities, women, people living in the regions, and people from ethnic communities, in particular those from a refugee and migrant background.

Young people are an important part of our society and contribute substantially but not everyone has equal opportunities to fulfil their potential and actively participate in their communities.

The Office of Ethnic Communities values diverse cultures and ethnicities within communities, wider society and the nation so we encourage young people from our ethnic communities to apply to this fund.

Detailed information for the Youth Enterprise and Entrepreneurship funding stream will be available in February 2019 on the Ministry of Youth Development website.

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