Nine Wimmera organisations will share in $18,000 from the state government to help run their respective events during the initiative from April 13 to 22.

Horsham’s Nexus Youth Centre will use its $2000 allocation for a skate park jam on April 21 and 22.

The centre will run the two-day event with Yarriambiack Shire Council.

Nexus project worker Jodie Mathews said the team was excited to be working with the council’s youth engagement officer Murray McKenzie to give riders and skaters an opportunity to showcase their skills.

“We will use the funding to engage Shredability, which is run by former World Cup and Australian Champion Renton Millar and is a sanctioned provider of the Australian Skateboard Federation,” she said.

“Nexus Youth Centre will engage with a cross-section of young people in the skate park community to provide a free interactive, high-energy, youth-led event.

“Local youth DJs will perform, and youth services and providers will promote youth support services and programs to young people. This activity will provide a celebration of and for young people.”

Ms Mathews said Warracknabeal’s skate park would host the first day of the jam, with Horsham Skate Park hosting the Sunday event.

Activities will run from 10am to 4pm on both days.

Ms Mathews said people could register for the jam on the Horsham Nexus Facebook page.

She said a free bus service would be available to take competitors from Horsham to Warracknabeal on the Saturday, and from Warracknabeal to Horsham on the Sunday.

Among the other events in the region during youth week include a Mind Matters Meet-Up in Kaniva to discuss mental health; the Colour Rally in the Mallee at Lake Lascelles; a ColouriNG St Arnaud Festival; and a basketball tournament in Ararat.

Youth week has previously run as a national initiative, but this year marks the first time states will host their own weeks.

Activities are aimed at people aged 12 to 25.