Citi Foundation Awards Over A$1 Million to Charities in Australia Supporting Youth Employment

Sydney – Citi Foundation has awarded grants of over A$1 million to community partners in Australia to support youth employment programs over the next 12 months.

The awarding of grants is part of Citi Foundation's global Pathways to Progress program, which aims to equip young people, particularly those from underserved communities, with the skills and networks needed to succeed in today's rapidly changing economy and be the most employable generation yet.

This year, to further efforts in diversity and inclusion, Citi Foundation has included Northcott NEXT program on their list of grant recipients. With this grant money, Northcott NEXT program will provide personised services and empower school leavers with a disability to gain the skills required to transition to their next life stage.

Commenting on the grants, Citi Australia CEO Marc Luet said; "Disability is an increasing area of focus at Citi. Globally, Citi celebrated Disability Awareness Month in October and our partnership with the Paralympics is Citi's first global, mission-led collaboration. It made perfect sense for us to extend this focus into our community partnerships with our Citi Foundation grants."

See below for the full list of programs funded by Citi Foundation for 2021/2022:

Disability

• Northcott NEXT program is one of Australia's largest not-for-profit disability services organisations and supports people with a disability to realise their potential. Northcott provides personalised services to over 12,000 adults and children and aims to build an inclusive society where people can live the life they choose.

Indigenous

• AIME- The IMAGI-NATION program aims to engage 500 Year 11 and 12 Indigenous students to develop a clear post-school plan with the goal of transitioning every student into university, full time employment, trades or further training.
• Foundation for Young Australians - Project Dinnawan is a national program supporting Indigenous young people across Australia, focused on strengthening their capacity and leadership, building the connection and vision of young Indigenous people to shape the future of their communities and country. This includes a focus on storytelling and platforming young mob's voices and seeding systemic change.

Disadvantaged youth

• Brotherhood of St Laurence - The Creating Futures for Youth program supports young people experiencing disadvantage pursue their career aspirations and build their capacity for an ever-evolving workforce. We equip young people with skills, help them plan their careers and link them with opportunities that align with their aspirations to put them on track to the world of work.
• Social Ventures Australia - Through the Rebuilding the Career Ladder Initiative, SVA work with a community of employers in Western Sydney that are committed to rewiring their current and future recruitment practices. The project will build the foundations for adoption of inclusive and sustainable employer practices to increase opportunities for young people who would otherwise remain on the periphery of the labour market.