Youth in Western Manitoba looking for summer employment will benefit from the province’s Green Team program.

The Manitoba government is investing more than $9.6 million in the Urban/Hometown Green Team program, which creates employment opportunities for young Manitobans while also improving neighbourhoods and parks.

“Many groups will benefit, like golf courses and municipalities, and other organizations will benefit when it comes to summer employment,” said Turtle Mountain MLA Doyle Piwniuk.

Urban/Hometown Green Team grants are awarded to non-profit organizations, education authorities and municipal governments to hire youth between the ages of 15 and 29 to work on community projects between May and September.

“The International Peace Garden received $55,000 through the Green Team. We’ll be able to make sure we're getting more people through the front gate and that the area looks good for visitors. This is a big plus for all non-profit organizations.”

The funding is provided to improve neighborhoods, promote community involvement, and help develop young leaders. The projects also stimulate local economic activity and improve job creation in urban and rural communities.

This year, the program will fund 744 projects across the province and employ approximately 2,500 youth. The program funds 100 per cent of wage costs for non-profit organizations, education authorities and NACCs, and 50 per cent of wage costs for municipalities on a cost-shared basis.

The first Green Team projects for 2023 will begin in May.