National Youth Week is set to blast off next year with community grants and Queensland Planning Group applications now open.

State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP, said grants of up to $1,500 were available for groups to host National Youth Week-themed activities and events running from Friday 8 April to Sunday 17 April 2016.

“Young people can also apply to be part of the Queensland Planning Group to get involved in organising the week,” Mr Ryan said.

“We’re looking for nominations for five young people from across Queensland to be this year’s National Youth Week Champions.

“Being a National Youth Week Champion is a great way for a young person to develop leadership skills by participating in the planning and coordination of this fantastic week.

“National Youth Week Champions will be assigned a Youth and Community Program Coordinator from PCYC who will provide support and mentoring to them.

“I encourage local young people who are passionate about representing young Queenslanders and have practical experience in organising events in our community to apply for this unique opportunity.

“The theme for National Youth Week 2016 is ‘Be the Future’ and I’m looking forward to hearing some great ideas from our young people for creative events and activities for next year.”

To help kick National Youth Week along, the Queensland Government has provided PCYC with $50,000 to work with young people throughout the state to deliver and coordinate events and activities in the lead-up to and during the week.

Applications for the grants close on Monday 14 December 2015 and nominations for the Queensland Planning Group close on Thursday 31 December 2015.

Successful nominees will be announced in mid-January 2016.

For more information on applications for National Youth Week grants or to nominate for the Queensland Planning Group visit www.qld.gov.au/youth/be-involved-have-your-say/youth-week/ or www.pcyc.org.au/nyw