East Arnhem Land youth to grow up strong

Yolŋu youth in East Arnhem will have ongoing engaging activities for the next 5 years led by their community leaders to grow up strong in 2 worlds.

After a successful pilot of this innovative community led youth development and strengthening model, the East Arnhem Land Youth Model (EALYM), or Guŋga’yunga Djamarrkuliny, is being extended until June 2027.

The Territory Government together with the Australian Government and the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) have signed a Partnership Agreement.

It commits to support the community controlled East Arnhem Land Youth Model for the years to come, and ensure it's evaluated and learnings gathered.

The youth model will include activities that reinforce connection to country, culture, language and family.

First established and piloted in 2020, the youth model was led by leaders across Gapuwiyak, Galiwin’ku, Ramingining and Millingimbi who wanted a better way to support their young people.

In 2022-23, the youth model grew with over 20 clan and community-based activities to:

• positively engage young people
• support cultural learning and
• reinforce positive youth behaviours.

Each community has its own local leadership group, created in consultation with local clan and community leaders. It allows for decisions about a flexible community fund that engages young people in activities that will support them in ways that work for the families and communities.

The EALYM supports community leadership taking control and care of youth through principles of Yolŋu governance and decision making embedded in the model.

Data and evidence from agencies and the community will measure success and capture learnings to build on the approach over time.