Run For It

Run For It is a youth-led, non-partisan organisation building the next generation of community focused, democratic leadership. Run For It believe Australian democracy is strongest when young people are heard and represented, from local councils to Canberra.

Young Australians are politically engaged but remain systematically excluded from formal politics. Meanwhile, the rise of Pauline Hanson and far-right movements have demonstrated how vulnerable our systems are to those seeking to drive wedges between us rather than unite us. Unfortunately, these ideas are increasingly shaping state and local governments, where critical decisions affecting housing, climate, transport and community services are made. Without investment in young, democracy driven leaders, these institutions risk becoming even less representative.

Since getting started, Run For It has directly supported young people to strengthen their advocacy campaigns, run for elected office, and engage with elections, contributing to the election of many young councillors across multiple states. They are now focused on building a nationwide movement of diverse young organisers, campaigners and future political leaders with the skills and networks to create lasting democratic change.

Right now, their priority is delivering a National Campaigns Fellowship that will train emerging community leaders across Australia in campaigning, organising, fundraising and communications. By investing in leadership development at scale, Run For It will create a long-term pipeline of diverse young community leaders ready to contest elections, skilled to advocate effectively and prepared to strengthen Australia’s democratic institutions through ensuring they remain representative, participatory and effective in making policy that unites, not divides us.

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