The Eden Futures Program, a partnership between the NSW Department of Family & Community Services and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, was created to support innovative and community-led responses to issues identified in Eden.

The projects receiving grants have been developed by five local organisations that understand the challenges Eden faces.

Campbell Page will receive $15,000 for the Eden Community Playgroup, a service that assists in early childhood development and enhancing the lives of children up to eight years old and their parents, as well as a further $50,000 for them to continue to provide a safe drop-in space for young people at their Youth Centre. 

Campbell Page youth worker Timika Michelin said she was over-the-moon when she found out their application was successful. 

“This is such great news, it’s going to keep these kids safe, happy and out of trouble,” Ms Michelin said. 

The Eden Chamber of Commerce was also successful in securing $46,000 in funding for their 12-week youth entrepreneur program as well as a further $15,000 for their Eden Futures Economic Gardening Project. 

Also receiving two grants was the Eden Community Access Centre, $30,000 for a gaming program aimed at engaging youth in the development, production and sale of computer video games as well as an extra $45,000 to ease service access for the community. 

Access Centre project manager Vera Clark said the news made her day. 

“It just means a lot for Eden, for the community, for the young ones and for our towns future,” she said.

The Marine Discovery centre will receive $22,000 to work with local high schools and oyster farmers to deliver an industry-based educational program within the Oyster industry and Twofold Aboriginal Corp will get $44,000 to provide opportunities for students at risk of disengaging from school to complete part of their studies at Jigamy Farm.