New funding by the Andrews Labor Government will give secondary students in Dandenong the chance to volunteer and get involved in their local communities in 2017.

Dandenong High School, Lyndale Secondary College and Emerson School will each receive up to $9,725 in funding to connect students to local volunteering opportunities.

The $4.46 million in Advance funding will go towards secondary schools in areas of high socio-economic disadvantage, for young people to engage in volunteering projects with local community partners.

It provides young people with an opportunity to develop practical teamwork, communication and project management skills.

More than 24,000 young people participated in the program last year, helping them to engage with their local communities, develop important life skills and gain valuable experience to assist in future job or education pursuits.

The funding helps schools connect young people to a range of projects including conservation programs, helping with their local Surf Life Saving Association, running a community radio program and getting involved with emergency services and animal welfare projects.

The Government announced last year a new Youth Policy: Building Stronger Youth Engagement in Victoria, which focusses on strengthening the relationship between government and young people.

Key actions from the policy include a Youth Summit on 31 March 2017, bringing together young people and their ideas from across Victoria and a new Victorian Youth Congress to meet regularly and advise government on key matters affecting young people.

For more information on the Advance program go to: www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au