The Youth Leaders and Mentors Programme (YLMP) is a Community Leadership programme to develop youth leaders and youth mentors, and enhance the level of youth community involvement and ownership. Secondary school students undergo leadership training followed by the implementation of community projects, guided by youth mentors who are tertiary students or young working adults.

Through the powerful formula of serving and learning, young people find personal growth as they discover that they can and do make a difference in the lives of others.

More information can be found at www.nyc.pa.gov.sg/ylmp

The Young ChangeMakers (YCM) scheme is an initiative that provides individuals or informal youth groups, between the ages of 13 to 35, with seed funding of up to 80% of project cost, or $3,000, whichever is lower, to implement short-term one-off projects benefiting their local community. It also provides further support for young people in terms of peer mentorship from a panel of selected youths.

YCM also transforms grant making by empowering selected youth as decision-makers in the grant-making process. This will provide a youth voice in key decision-making and leverage on the concept of peer review in assessing project applications. Application for the grant is open all year round.

More information can be found at www.changemakers.youth.sg

The Youth Expedition Project (YEP) has been a key programme to encourage volunteerism among our youth since its inception in 2000. YEP supports youth to embark on community service projects with the objectives of building up self-confident youth volunteers who can identify needs and contribute to the community both at home and abroad.

In line with the objective of empowering the sector to build sustainable partnerships and youth-led initiatives, the Youth Expedition Project (YEP) provides funding for projects, training and sector development.

Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), Youth Organisations (YOs), Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs), Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), and grassroots/community organisations are welcome to apply for these grants.

More information can be found at www.yep.sg.

The National Youth Forum (NYF) was established under the auspices of NYC in 2004 with the aim of addressing the call by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to enhance the level of youth civic participation. Arising from the recommendations of the Remaking Singapore Committee to give young people a greater say, the NYF was conceived to equip them with a better understanding of policy-making processes.

The second NYF in 2006 is organised by a youth committee of 12 previous NYF participants under the facilitation of NYC, and will be held from 23 June to September. The youth committee is guided by an Advisory Panel, chaired by Mr Ahmad Nizam Abbas, Council Member of the 9th NYC.

More information can be found at www.nyf.sg

*scape is a two-hectare youth community space in Orchard Road comprising the open area next to Cineleisure, the Orchard Youth Park, the National Youth Centre and the Somerset Skate Park. *scape is a space for youth by youth, a space of possibilities for youthful expression and involvement.

More information can be found at www.scape.youth.sg

Targeted at today's vibrant and energetic youth from 15 to 35 years old, SHINE offers many opportunities for young people from all walks of life. The festival showcases youth talent, develops youth interests and celebrates youth's caring hearts for our society and communities.

A truly by-youth-for-youth festival, young people can organise all sorts of events from writing workshops, football clinics, photo exhibitions to a street party. Indeed, SHINE is as big as youths' imagination! After its success last year, SHINE is bigger, better and back this year from 2 to 31 July.

More information can be found at www.shine.youth.sg