In 2022, we’re working with the local communities of Casey and Cardinia in Melbourne’s South East.
“I raise up my voice-not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard…we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.”
― Malala Yousafzai
Young Initiators are young people (aged 12-24) inspired to connect with others, considered in the issues they are passionate about, active citizens and leaders of positive change within their communities.
The Young Initiators program inspires leadership through values-based, experiential intensives delivered in your community. Young people can then be linked into a small team to design and deliver their own youth-led community project.
Our Young Initiators Instagram is centred on sharing the incredible things young people are achieving in the community, as well as highlighting inspiring young leaders currently actioning social change.
The Young Initiators Project was funded by the Victorian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet, Multicultural Affairs.
Who is a Young Initiator?
What do the leadership intensives look like?
Young Initiators focuses on values-based leadership and is geared towards young people from all walks of life. So, whether you are the type who never really thought leadership was for you or if you’re the ambitious type itching to lead, Young Initiators has got you covered!
Starting off with a two-day leadership intensive, our interactive sessions are centred around relationship building, team work, active leadership, discrimination and culture, empathy, connection and storytelling. All the sessions are activity based, inclusive and designed to bring people together.
What are youth-led projects?
At the end of the intensive, if you want to put your leadership skills into practise, we can link you into a collective of eager young people who what to create change on issues they’re passionate about. Working together in a supported group space, we’ll guide you through the process of designing and implementing your own community project over a series of 8-12 weeks.
The facilitated group sessions will provide guidance and help develop the skills required to lead your project. These will include project development tools, introduce evaluation techniques and cover communications/social media. Through an intentional “hands-off” process, we’ll be there to support groups to lead and drive the initiative how you see fit.
Youth conference
In celebration of the amazing youth-led projects delivered across Casey and Cardinia, the program will finish off with a youth conference, showcasing your collective work and highlighting the value you and other young people bring to the community!
What have we done previously?
Check out the infographic to learn more about the program and its two year pilot: Young Initiators Final Infographic Report
Find out more & register
To find out more about this project and the incredible young people who are initiating change in their communities, follow Young Initiators on Instagram.
Keen to discuss this in more detail or register your interest?
Reach out to CMY’s Young Initiators team directly via younginitiators@cmy.net.au or use the form below.