Released on July 5, 2006
Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Glenn Hagel has announced funding for 22 youth-led and delivered community projects.The Saskatchewan Youth Project Awards were developed to engage youth in Saskatchewan's voluntary sector. In February, Saskatchewan youth, aged 14 to 29, were invited to submit applications for funding of between $500 and $5,000 for community-based projects. One hundred and sixty applications were received.
"We were thrilled that so many Saskatchewan youth shared their innovative and exciting ideas with us on ways they can help their communities," Hagel said. "This really shows the community spirit our young people have in this province!"
Youth leadership development is the cornerstone of the Saskatchewan Youth Project Awards program. The concept was recommended by the Provincial Youth Advisory Committee, a group of young people from across the province who advise government on youth-focused policies and programs. The program was designed by young people and a youth jury adjudicated applications and selected the successful projects.
"When we were coming up with ideas for the Youth Projects Awards, we wanted a program that would give young people an opportunity to make a real difference in their communities in a way that was meaningful to them," Provincial Youth Advisory Committee co-chair Mitchell Anderson said. "We also wanted something that would give other Saskatchewan youth an opportunity to be leaders in their communities. I am very excited about the quality of project submissions received and I know that this program is going to benefit both the young people involved and their communities."
The selected projects are distributed throughout the province and are representative of Saskatchewan youth and their interests.
The Saskatchewan Youth Project Awards program is funded by proceeds from the sale of Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 merchandise. A total of $193,000 will be distributed over the three-year life of the program, with over $70,000 distributed in 2006.
More information on the Saskatchewan Youth Project Awards is available online at www.saskyouth.net.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967 |