Deadline: 30-Apr-2026
The Youth Engagement Grants Program provides funding to support young Territorians in participating in drug and alcohol-free recreational activities, leadership programs, and personal development opportunities. Individuals can receive up to $500 per financial year, while organisations and community groups can access up to $2,000 per financial year to run or support youth-focused activities.
What is the Youth Engagement Grants Program?
The Youth Engagement Grants Program is a funding initiative that helps young people in the Northern Territory (NT) access safe, positive, and skill-building opportunities.
The program supports activities that are:
- Drug and alcohol-free
- Recreational and youth-friendly
- Focused on personal development
- Designed to build leadership, confidence, and life skills
It aims to help young Territorians take part in activities that strengthen:
- Self-esteem
- Teamwork
- Cooperation
- Trust
- Leadership capacity
- Community participation
Funding Overview
For Individuals
Individuals can apply for:
- Up to $500 per financial year
This funding can support:
- Participation in events
- Leadership programs
- Personal development opportunities
- National or international representation for the Northern Territory or Australia
For Organisations and Community Groups
Eligible organisations and community groups can apply for:
- Up to $2,000 per financial year
This funding can support youth-focused events, activities, and short-term programs.
What Can the Grant Be Used For?
Individual Funding Can Support
Individuals may use funding for:
- Event participation costs
- Leadership or personal development programs
- Program-related fees
- Return flight costs from Australia for national or international representation
- Fees quoted and paid in Australian dollars
Organisation and Community Group Funding Can Support
Organisations and community groups may use the grant to:
- Coordinate or facilitate youth activities
- Cover participation or registration fees
- Support short-term programs in the Northern Territory or online
- Support travel costs for young people aged 12 to 25
- Provide up to $500 per person for transport linked to national or international representation
- Cover up to $1,000 for wages or salaries of instructors needed to run activities
Additional Support
- Funding may also support siblings attending the same event
- Separate applications must be submitted for each sibling
Types of Activities Supported
The program encourages creative, safe, and engaging youth activities.
Examples include:
- Drug and alcohol-free recreational activities
- Youth leadership programs
- Personal growth and confidence-building activities
- Skills-based workshops
- Short-term youth development programs
- Participation in events that benefit young Territorians
- Travel for skill-building experiences
A key requirement is that applicants should show how the skills gained will be shared back with the community.
Who is Eligible?
Individual Applicants
To be eligible, individuals should:
- Be applying for an activity that benefits young Territorians
- Provide a clear reason for attending the event or program
- Submit supporting documents such as:
- Invitations
- Confirmations of participation
- Relevant event details
Organisations and Community Groups
Organisations must:
- Be registered as a legal entity under the Associations Act 2003
- Hold valid public liability insurance
- Ensure facilitators have a current:
- Working with Children Check, or
- Exemption Authority
General Eligibility Conditions
All applicants must:
- Have all previous grants fully acquitted
- Submit a detailed project plan
- Provide a clear budget
- Include required supporting documentation
What Cannot Be Funded?
The program does not support:
- Applicants outside the Northern Territory, unless the activity benefits young Territorians
- Long-term learning programs
- Capital equipment purchases
- Political activities
- Discriminatory activities
- Commercial ventures
- Fundraising initiatives
- More than four individuals attending the same event
- Activities without a clear youth focus
- Projects that do not show value for money
Why This Grant Matters
The Youth Engagement Grants Program is important because it helps remove financial barriers for young people to access:
- Safe recreational opportunities
- Leadership experiences
- Personal development programs
- Travel linked to representation and skill-building
It is especially valuable for supporting:
- Youth participation
- Community connection
- Positive development
- Confidence and leadership among young Territorians
How to Apply
Recommended Application Steps
- Check that all previous grants are fully acquitted
- Confirm the activity clearly benefits young Territorians
- Prepare a detailed project or participation plan
- Create a clear and realistic budget
- Gather supporting documents, such as:
- Invitations
- Registration confirmations
- Event details
- Program information
- For organisations, confirm:
- Legal registration
- Public liability insurance
- Working with Children compliance
- Submit the application according to the official program process
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve your chances:
- Clearly explain the youth benefit
- Show how the activity is drug and alcohol-free
- Focus on short-term, practical outcomes
- Demonstrate value for money
- Explain how skills learned will be shared with the community
- Keep the budget simple and well justified
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common issues:
- Applying before previous grants are acquitted
- Submitting weak or incomplete supporting documents
- Proposing activities with no clear youth development focus
- Requesting funding for ineligible costs like equipment or commercial ventures
- Failing to show community benefit
- Exceeding limits for group attendance at the same event
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Youth Engagement Grants Program?
It is a Northern Territory funding program that supports young Territorians to participate in drug and alcohol-free recreational, leadership, and personal development activities.
2. How much can individuals receive?
Individuals can receive:
- Up to $500 per financial year
3. How much can organisations or community groups receive?
Organisations and community groups can receive:
- Up to $2,000 per financial year
4. What age group can organisation funding support?
Organisation funding can support travel and activities for young people aged:
- 12 to 25 years
5. Can the grant support travel?
Yes. The program can support:
- Travel for skill-building experiences
- Return flight costs for national or international representation
- Transport support for eligible young participants
6. Can the grant fund equipment or long-term study?
No. The program does not fund:
- Capital equipment purchases
- Long-term learning programs
7. What documents are required?
Applicants may need to provide:
- A detailed project plan
- A budget
- Invitations or confirmations of participation
- Relevant organisational compliance documents (if applying as a group)
Conclusion
The Youth Engagement Grants Program is a practical funding opportunity for young Territorians, community groups, and organisations that want to support safe, youth-focused, drug and alcohol-free activities. With funding of up to $500 for individuals and up to $2,000 for organisations, it helps young people build confidence, leadership, life skills, and community connection through meaningful participation.
For more information, visit Northern Territory of Australia.