SUPPORTING YOUNGER VETERANS

ONE million dollars’ worth of grants are available to assist younger veterans establish themselves into civilian life, and manage the challenges and opportunities that their ADF service presents.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the Supporting Younger Veterans (SYV) grants program is now open for applications for the 2018–19 financial year to provide further assistance to younger veterans.

"The funded programs will directly help the mental, physical and social wellbeing of these younger veterans. They also raise the community awareness of the important issues faced by younger veterans. As the programs are well researched and sustainable they will be able to help many younger veterans over a number of years," Mr Chester said.

"Other important considerations are that there is collaboration among ex-service organisations and other organisations in the broader community, and that projects or services are delivered in a sustainable way build capabilities in the veteran community."

Projects that previously received funding have provided a range of services including personal coaching and peer support to disengaged and unemployed veterans, the training of young veterans as Disaster Response Instructors, and innovative treatments to mental health challenges aimed at improving resilience, mental wellbeing, psychological stress, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and dysfunctional behaviours.

"It is pleasing to see previous grants recipients such as Veterans Care Association and Team Rubicon Australia creating positive opportunities for the younger generation of veterans," Mr Chester said.

"There is no maximum or minimum amount that can be sought for this grant opportunity and applications are open from now until 2 pm on Tuesday 14 August 2018,"

"If you think you may need help with your application please call or email the Community Grants Hub as soon as possible to ask for help. This will ensure any issues can be worked through in time for your application to be considered for funding."

"This is just one important initiative aimed at putting veterans and families first and I encourage organisations to apply for this round of grant funding."

For information about how to apply for grants online, see the Community Grants Hub website: www.communitygrants.gov.au or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website: www.dva.gov.au.

Support is available by phone: 1800 020 283 or by email: support@communitygrants.gov.au.

 To receive an email alert when veteran and other community grants are open for applications on the Hub, visit www.communitygrants.gov.au.