Leadership opportunities for local young people

YOUNG people in the fire affected communities are eligible for several leadership programs, thanks to federal funding for local business The Mandela Project. In the recent announcement by the Federal Government for their Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants, The Mandala Project received funding to run five eight–day leadership programs for young people in the fire affected communities of Alpine, Indigo, East Gippsland, Towong, Mansfield, Wangaratta and Wodonga over the next two years. Five years since its inception, The Mandala Project has delivered a number of programs throughout the North East. What started with a 'one off' four–day Emerging Leader's Summit, has grown into a business offering multi day father/son and mother/daughter programs; four and eight–day leadership programs; Year 5 and 6 boys and girls programs; one day leadership workshops and a three day Trainee Development Program to name a few. Mandala Project co–founder Anthony Nicholson the North East Victoria Youth L.E.A.D (or NEVYL) Program will "empower, connect and further develop the personal and community leadership skills of individuals". "Our programs draw on experiential learning, team–based challenges, skills sessions and inspirational speakers to cultivate participant's leadership capacity, emotional intelligence and to build their community networks," he said. "Our intention is to engage young adults in a meaningful, hands–on leadership experience with the expected outcome being they contribute to programs, policies and services that affect their lives and contribute to community recovery. "Developing resilient and self–aware future leaders has immense value for rural communities." Twelve applicants aged between 18 to 26 years of age from across the seven shires will be eligible to participate in each of the programs. The first of these is commencing on Thursday, April 28 with a four–day retreat in Bright. Each program consists of an opening four–day retreat which includes interactive sessions, various guest speakers and a small group challenge; a three–day trip to Canberra to hear from inspirational speakers as well as time spent in the Tharwa Valley Forge; and then concluding with a one day wrap up of the program. Mr Nicholson said communities in the area have been "doing it tough" for the last couple of years. "First it was the bushfires, then COVID, and then there has been a number of youth suicides," he said. "Programs that help develop the skills and confidence of our young people, give them an opportunity to develop real social connections and encourage them to become more involved in their communities, are going to build more resilient communities' long term." To register your interest in participating in the upcoming NEVYL Program or any future programs, go to www.themandalaproject.com.au. Participants must either live, work or study in one of the seven mentioned communities, and must be available for all eight days of the program. The cost of the program is $3200, but with the Federal Government funding this has reduced the participant contribution to $300. This covers all accommodation, travel, food, speakers, facilitators and activities for the entire program.

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