Eleven community organisations will deliver projects across NSW aimed at creating more opportunities for young people to connect in person through sport, mentoring, creative activities and community programs.
The Minns Labor Government is investing more than $2 million in grassroots programs across the state to help young people connect face-to-face and build healthy relationships offline.
The Connect IRL program is the direct result of feedback from young people at the world-first social media summit, who asked for more government support to find a sense of community and belonging.
Through the Connect IRL program, 11 not-for-profit organisations will deliver community lead projects from Sydney to Boggabilla, creating more opportunities for young people to get off their phones and engage with people in their communities.
The programs cover a range from sports training, creative workshops and structured mentoring to appeal to a broad mix of young people.
In Sydney, projects will run in Lakemba, Mount Druitt, Newtown and Parramatta, while regional communities across the Central West, Riverina, Shoalhaven, North Coast, Northern NSW, and regional and remote Western NSW will also benefit.
For example, young people in Mount Druitt will be able to join the new leadership development stream into the long-standing Savannah Pride program, providing consistent after school basketball training, mentoring and educational support.
Initiatives in Newtown, Parramatta, Lismore and Newcastle will involve a series of in person, safer spaces programs, designed for LGBTIQA+ youth.
Across the Murrumbidgee region, a new peer connection program will help combat isolation, helping them foster new friendships and encouraging young people to seek support early when they need it.
It’s part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to better support young people in New South Wales, led by the newly-established Office for Youth.
For more than a decade, the NSW Liberal-National Government silenced the voices of young people in this state, and young people have since called for genuine influence in shaping policy.
The NSW Government is leading the nation in advocating for reforms to better support young people and building a future where young people feel like they are seen and heard by government.
With nationwide social media age delays for children under 16 introduced in 2025, it is vital to provide opportunities for young people to connect in person.
Connect IRL is helping create a generation of young people who feel connected, supported and part of their community by bringing friendship, belonging and connection back into physical spaces.
The Connect IRL Grants Program is administered by the Premier’s Department, co-funded by the NSW Office for Youth.
More information on the program as well as a full list of recipients is available online at Connect IRL Grants.
Minister for Youth Rose Jackson said:
“We’ve seen the research. We know that high social media usage is linked with loneliness and distress in young people and every parent knows that our kids are spending more time online.
“With nationwide social media restrictions now in place, we need to make sure we’re filling that void with meaningful connection, ensuring they have opportunities to connect in-person.
“That’s why we’re backing grassroots organisations right across NSW to give young people more opportunities to connect outside of school and to feel part of their community.
“This program has been designed with young people, for young people. It’s exactly the kind of practical investment that helps young people thrive and I can’t wait to see these projects in action.”
NSW Advocate for Children and Young People Katherine McKernan said:
“Every young person should feel connected, included and actively involved in their community. Programs like Connect IRL are important because they create safe, welcoming spaces where young people can build friendships, develop confidence and participate in activities that strengthen their sense of belonging.”
“We consistently hear from young people that face-to-face connection matters. Whether through sport, creative programs, mentoring or cultural activities, these initiatives give young people opportunities to engage with their communities in meaningful ways and build healthy relationships offline.”
“The Connect IRL program recognises that strong communities are built when young people are supported to participate, connect and have access to activities that reflect their interests and experiences. The Office for Youth looks forward to building relationships with the grantees and supporting the delivery of the projects over the next 2 years to help ensure young people feel valued, connected and empowered within their local communities.”
BackTrack CEO Marcus Watson said:
“We know that when young people feel safe, value and connected, they are more likely to thrive and give back to the communities they live in.
“Through this project young people who are engaged with BackTrack will have regular opportunities to connect in device-free spaces that are grounded in real life – from group conversations about things that matter to them, to boots-on-the-ground activities on country.
“This connection is the foundation from which young people can build confidence, independence and a sense of real belonging.”
CEO of Milk Crate Theatre Jodie Wainwright said:
“Milk Crate Theatre is thrilled to receive support through the NSW Premier’s Connect IRL program, which will empower young people across New South Wales to connect, create and share their stories through the arts. At a time when many young people are experiencing increasing isolation, these projects will provide meaningful opportunities to build confidence, develop creative skills and form lasting connections within their communities. We’re incredibly grateful to the NSW Government for investing in the power of youth creativity and community connection.”
CEO of Mounty Aboriginal Youth & Community Services Ltd. Daniel Daylight said:
“This project will mean a lot for our young people in Mount Druitt. It gives us more ways to build a space that is youth-led and shaped by what young people actually want and need. For us, it is about backing young people to connect, be creative, have a go, lead in their own community and be proud of who they are and where they come from.”
CEO of headspace Wagga Wagga’s lead agency, Relationships Australia Canberra & Regions Lauren Anthes said:
“The Connect IRL Grant is giving headspace Wagga Wagga the chance to co-create a program with those with young people that directly responds to their needs. Young people in the Riverina have told us clearly: they don’t want more screens; they want more reasons to leave the house and connect.”
“We’re excited to work with young people in our community to create meaningful in-person connection opportunities, utilising their lived experiences to drive the program’s direction.”