Changemakers WA has developed a youth development model of young person led engagement for youth organisations and services who wished to become partners in this project.

The Changemakers Community model  is designed for use in community based settings and is a flexible and responsive resource to youth workers and the young people they serve.

It is most effectively used when a youth worker who has already generated dialogue and trust with a group of young people, feel that this same group is ready to design and manage their own project activity.  The group is encouraged to take leadership and responsibility for a project activity. 

Changemakers Community aims to encourage and support young people to become more confident and active community members through their participation in young person led project work and develop the Teamwork, Leadership and Communication (TLC) skills  through leading their projects

Proposals are presented by the project team to a panel which comprises youth and community workers, youth justice workers, police etc.  The role of the panel is to assist and approve the project proposals of young people.  Youth Workers (who are fully briefed and registered as Changemakers facilitators) facilitate and “manage” the learning process and encourage young people to review and celebrate their learning.

In 2006 – 2008, a Pilot Program involving ten WA Community Agencies was undertaken. This pilot involved provision of small Project Venture funds to agencies in order to assist them with Changemakers project costs. See our examples for information on some of the projects undertaken in this pilot.