Here at the CNC we're very excited to share that our local youth program has become a futureproof partner! This means that we've now got much more resources to put back into young people's experiences, growth, and recovery in a post-bushfire affected area. The funding allows young people's time and voice to be valued appropriately, which is a revolutionary concept for many community members.

Through Future Proof we aim to empower and inspire young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle whatever emergencies or challenges arise in the future. This looks different for every project partner, as the program is youth-led, and place-based, so no one is telling our youth what they need, but instead asking.

We are utilising the Upper Murray Youth Working Group as our youth advisory group for this program. This group was first created in the early months of 2020 (post-bushfires, pre-pandemic) as a way to give young people a platform to voice their fears, concerns, or ideas relating to the local recovery process. We are proud to have created this group when we did, as it's given members of the group many opportunities they need for the benefit of themselves and their community.

We look forward to seeing where this program takes us throughout 2023 and into 2024!

If you're a young person living, working, or studying in the Upper Murray, we'd love for you to reach out and get involved.