On this page

Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic), in partnership with the Victorian Government, is proud to deliver $100,000 through Round 15 of the Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) Grants, supporting fifteen projects across Victoria, including eight in regional communities.  

Now in its 15th year, the HEY Grants program has invested more than $1.7 million to 158 projects designed by and for LGBTIQA+ young people, building stronger, more inclusive communities by creating opportunities for connection and belonging across the state. 

This year, nine HEY grants have been awarded to youth-led projects, demonstrating the leadership, creativity and commitment of LGBTIQA+ young Victorians driving change for their peers. These projects share stories across a diverse range of identities and experiences within our community, highlighting the importance of representation and visibility in our support and celebration of all LGBTIQA+ identities. 

Young people and their communities will deliver creative writing workshops, theatre performance, social events and co-designed resources informed by lived experience as part of their funded projects. Each initiative reinforces the power of visibility, community education and social inclusion in creating positive environments for LGBTIQA+ young people to thrive, demonstrating the capacity of youth-led programs to create change. 

“Round 15 comes at a significant time in Victoria as we welcome strengthened anti-vilification protections for characteristics including gender identity, sexual orientation, and sex characteristics. These reforms reflect a shared commitment to ensuring all young people, including our LGBTIQA+ community, can live free from discrimination, and feel welcome, affirmed, and celebrated in their identities.”

–- Derm Ryan, Head of Rural

Grant recipients are: 

Youth Led Category

  • Rochester Secondary College Stand-Out Club - $3,000 
  • Asexual Fantasies and Hopeless Aromantics - $1,500 
  • The Adventures of Bowie: Promoting LGBTQIA+ Awareness and Inclusion - $10,000 
  • The Aletheia Project - $10,000 
  • Qwids - $10,000 
  • Survive with Pride - $10,000 
  • Party 4 Pride: Celebrating Merri-bek's Queer Young People – $5,000 
  • Queer Fashion Parade – $8,500  
  • Yarra Ranges Queer Youth Writer's Collective - $7,000 

Social Connectedness 

  • Naarm Ballroom Emerging Leaders program, Cypher Culture Inc. - $9,000 
  • Strong Together: Empowering Young Women through Inclusive Sport and Wellbeing, Unity Libyan Inc. - $5,000 
  • Equalize Program, Swan Hill Rural City Council - $10,000 
  • Pride Connections Club, Anglicare Victoria - $5,000 
  • Pride Formal, Macedon Ranges Shire - $5,000 
  • StandOut! Program, Strathmore Secondary College - $1,000 

Join us in celebrating the Round 15 HEY Grant recipients at HEY Day: Pride in Our Stories – Making Change for Good, on Friday 27th February, at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre!  

Register for a spot

Media contact: Casey Dean (she/her), YACVic Media & Communications Coordinator – CDean@YACVic.org.au or 0498 730 553 

Youth Affairs Council Victoria | HEY Grants 

About Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) 

Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) is a partnership between Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) and the Victorian Government established to deliver place-based support, services and opportunities for LGBTQIA+ young people. 

HEY works by bringing together a network of 16 partner organisations, known as the HEY Partners, who provide place-based peer support, referrals, community visibility, celebration, collective advocacy and education in their local areas and across the state. 

About Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) 

Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) is the peak body and leading policy advocate for young people aged 12-25 and the youth sector in Victoria. Established in 1960, YACVic advocates for the rights of young people in Victoria to ensure they are active, visible and valued in their communities.