Not-for-profit groups and organisations are given the option twice throughout the year to apply for a maximum of $1,500 through the Youth Grants program.

The program is designed to support local groups and organisations by providing a financial contribution to a range of projects or programs which focus directly on the involvement and structure of young people within the municipality.

Priority is given to funding proposals targeting young people aged between 12 and 21 years of age.

Successful applicants in the latest round of funding were St Arnaud Secondary College, Stawell West Primary School, Grampians Calisthenics College, Stawell Performing Arts Company, Lenzone in Stawell, St Arnaud Netball Club and St Arnaud Primary School.

Stawell West Primary School received a grant of $1500 towards the pushcart challenge conducted each year by the grades five and six students. Total cost of running the challenge is $6,075.

Grampians Calisthenics College has a $2,289 project to establish appropriate storage for props and other equipment used and has been granted $1,105, Stawell Performing Arts Company Inc. has received $1500 to assist with equipment required for a two-act musical, while LenZone has been granted the full $812.35 needed to conduct a youth-run art class.

St Arnaud Secondary College will receive $1500 towards a $12,357.60 project to assist the few lucky students in organising the school's first overseas trip to New Caledonia for the French class, St Arnaud Netball Club has been granted $850 for the purchase of four new gym mats to contribute to the fitness training required and St Arnaud Primary School will receive $1500 towards a project to purchase and install a stove and range hood for the Right Choices program.

Portfolio councillor, Barry Marrow, said he was pleased with the outcome of the youth grants program this round.

``All the grant recipients are community based youth organisations and I am very pleased with the outcome. I thank Cr (Ray) Hewitt for his input in helping to put this together,'' he said.

Cr Hewitt said the grants offered a good spread of money across the shire.

``These are all good projects that these groups will use the money for and I am sure they will do a good job supporting the youth in our shire,'' he said.