The Victorian Government has announced the latest round of Healthy Equal Youth grants, directing fresh funding towards community projects aimed at supporting young LGBTIQA+ people across Victoria.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt confirmed that 15 initiatives will share $100,000 under the 2025 HEY grants, a program that has been running for 15 years. The grants focus on projects that promote inclusion, challenge stigma and support mental health and wellbeing among young people.
Delivered in partnership with the Youth Affairs Council Victoria, the program has backed more than 135 projects since 2010, with total funding now exceeding $1.4 million. Supporters of the scheme say its longevity has helped smaller community groups test ideas that may not otherwise attract funding. Critics, however, have previously questioned whether modest grant amounts can meet growing demand, particularly in regional areas.
This year’s funding is split between metropolitan and regional Victoria, with eight projects based in rural and regional communities and seven in Melbourne. The balance reflects ongoing concerns about access to inclusive services outside the city, especially for young people who may feel isolated or lack local support networks.
A strong youth voice runs through the 2025 round, with nine of the funded projects led by young LGBTIQA+ people themselves. In the Southern Grampians Shire, a youth-run digital storytelling project will use animation and social media to build visibility and connection. In Melbourne, a statewide ballroom and vogue initiative is set to offer paid creative and production roles for emerging artists, responding to calls for pathways into creative work.
Other projects focus on practical support. Berry Street Education First Youth Foyer will provide essential kits for LGBTIQA+ young people in the Yorta Yorta region who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The Aletheia Project will work with female-identifying LGBTIQA+ young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, supporting them to take greater control of their health.
The grants sit within the government’s broader mental health agenda, which places an emphasis on prevention and community-based support. Minister Stitt said the projects were about helping young people feel welcome and valued, while Equality Minister Vicki Ward highlighted the role of local initiatives in building safety and confidence.
A full list of funded projects is available here.
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