Seven new community projects focused on youth leadership, cross-cultural understanding and community resilience will share $1.2 million under the NSW Government’s Community Partnership Action (COMPACT) Program.
The funding will support 24 partner organisations across the state, expanding the COMPACT Alliance to 89 organisations working with young people through programs centred on respectful dialogue, sport, storytelling, digital media and the arts.
The projects will run over the next two years and are designed to help young people develop leadership skills, build confidence and strengthen relationships across cultural and faith communities.
Among the initiatives is Young Voices, Strong Communities, a school-based podcast and digital literacy program for students across South West NSW. Participants will produce podcasts exploring community, belonging, culture and resilience while developing skills in journalism, audio production and cross-cultural storytelling.
Western Sydney participants will take part in Peace of Mind, which focuses on leadership development by training young people to facilitate intercultural discussion groups.
Project NOAH will bring school and university students into the Jewish community to learn about Jewish culture, values and traditions, while the Bachar Houli Foundation will expand its AFL-based program for Muslim youth, using coaches and mentors to encourage leadership, school competitions and participation in community sport.
The COMPACT Program has now operated for a decade and has engaged more than 80,000 young people across NSW.
NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said it was encouraging to see more organisations joining the program and supporting young people to take on leadership roles.
“It’s fantastic to see more community organisations joining the COMPACT program, backing more young people to become leaders and make a real difference in their communities,” Mr Kamper said.
He said the government believed strong communities were built through mutual understanding and respect.
“The Minns Labor Government knows that a strong, resilient NSW is built on understanding and respect between communities. These projects are helping shape the next generation of leaders who will carry that forward,” he said.
Multicultural NSW Acting Chief Executive James Jegasothy said the program had built leadership skills over the past decade while helping young people respond to division within the community.
“Over the last 10 years, COMPACT has equipped thousands of young people with the skills to lead with empathy and to take a stand against divisive forces,” Mr Jegasothy said.
He said the latest funding round would expand the alliance’s reach across the state.
“We welcome seven innovative new projects, bringing the COMPACT Alliance to 89 organisations working across NSW to connect communities across difference and empowering young people to shape the future of their communities and our multicultural society.”
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