The Ōtepoti Youth Space grantee video captures how the Community Gallery in central Dunedin was transformed into a pop-up youth space for two weeks in May - coinciding with Youth Week (7th-15th May). Otago Community Trust was pleased to be a core funder of this initiative, which was facilitated by a collective of creative and youth organisations.

The Ōtepoti Youth Space initiative was built from young people's desire to have a safe, accessible space for youth, especially rangatahi at risk, in the central city of Ōtepoti | Dunedin.

With a focus on wellbeing and creativity, this pop-up youth space worked to facilitate a programme of activities and events to allow Ōtepoti youth to connect and express themselves in a supportive youth-led environment.

Otago Community Trust was pleased to approve a $15,000 grant to support the Ōtepoti Youth Space. 

Over the two week period the Youth Space had almost 400 people attend with an impressive 180 on the opening day. A second trial for a safe space for Dunedin youth is now being proposed after public feedback deemed the first too short.