Young people are a part of the legacy of social, environmental and economic well being for the Columbia Basin. Because of this, Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) has been taking an active role in developing opportunities for young people in the Basin. We do this through investing in projects and ideas brought forth by young people 15-29 years old. We have a variety of programs and initiatives through which we encourage youth engagement. Our goals include:

• Supporting Basin youth in identifying their assets and needs, and providing strategies and programs to address them
• Supporting youth skills development, leadership and capacity-building
• Enhancing the ability of Basin youth to be engaged community members with a strong sense of Basin identity and a commitment to the continued well-being of the Columbia Basin

The Youth Advisory Committee (or YACers as we call them) is a group of involved, inspired, creative youth from around the Columbia Basin who are interested in making a difference in their communities. If you are interested in becoming a YACer (Committee Member), read the backgrounder and fill out the application form. Applying to be part of the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) really couldn't be easier. We are nice people and the interview process is fun. As a YACer you could be involved in any number of projects, from cultural events and youth forums, to special projects and website moderating. Another key part of the commitment to the CBT YAC, is that members of the committee are those who evaluate our Columbia Basin Youth Grants.

For more information about how the CBT works with youth, please visit ScratchOnline, our youth-specific site.