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About the project
Future Proof was a collective impact project led by YACVic, in response to the 2019-20 bushfires. It brought together a range of partners: 8 Local Councils and place based NGOs, 2 ACCOs, 2 Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) and Victoria University.
As the coordinating partner, YACVic provided support to all partners to deliver youth-led activities across the bushfire-impacted areas, including:
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Qualification pathways for local young people to kickstart careers in emergency management and community services
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The creation of local youth advisory groups (YAGs) leading locally-led projects.
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Training for young people and youth workers.
The project was place-based, networked and flexible, and used ethical youth work principles to engage, support, train and connect young people in recovery projects and community decision-making.
The project was funded under the Australian Government's Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program.
As of April 2025, our Future Proof project has come to an end after 3 years of delivery.
Qualification pathways
Young people living in a Future Proof region were able to have their registrations paid for and their traineeship organised by the team. They could become qualified in areas such as the following:
- Certificate II in Firefighting
- Certificate II, III or Diploma in Public Safety
- Certificate IV in Mental Health
- Certificate III, IV or Diploma in Community Services
- First Aid
- Communications training
- Auslan interpreting.
Resources
A huge thank you to everyone who was involved with the project
- Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service (AWAHS)
- Alpine Shire Council
- Corryong Neighbourhood Centre (CNC)
- East Gippsland Shire Council
- Gippsland East Local Learning and Employment Network
- Indigo Shire Council
- Junction Support Services
- Mansfield Shire Council
- Moogji Aboriginal Council
- North East Local Learning and Employment Network
- Wangaratta Rural City Council
- Wellington Shire Council
- Harmony Carmichael
- Cherrie Byrne
- Tara Wilson
- Chloe Peters
- Makenzie Wilson
Victoria University Research Team
- Associate Professor Fiona MacDonald, Principal Research Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities
- Professor Tim Corney, Professorial Research Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities
- Brett Woods, Research Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities.
Victoria University (VU) led the research component of Future Proof and were actively embedded in the project, working with partner communities across regional Victoria. Their aim was to capture the experiences of young people, and the people and organisations that support them, in disaster recovery and preparedness throughout North East and Eastern Victoria.
Building on previous work, the research develops the evidence base around young people’s active role as agents of change in the context of disaster prevention, preparation, response and recovery. Their work informs organisational and governmental policy to foster the meaningful involvement and inclusion of young people in disaster and emergency management responses.
Previous work:
Contact
For general enquiries, contact FutureProof@YACVic.org.au. For other enquiries, contact Derm Ryan (Head of YACVic Rural) at DRyan@YACVic.org.au.