The Change It Up program is funded by the state government and run by the Foundation for Young Australians. The program aims to empower regional and rural young people to take action on the issues that matter to them. 

The two-day workshop held at the Old Fire Station was supported by the City of Greater Bendigo, Mount Alexander and Central Goldfields shires and community groups.

Program manager Alex Snow said youth aged 15 to 20 discussed a range of issues including climate change, refugee policy and teen pregnancy. 

At the end of the program on Thursday afternoon, students presented plans about how they were going to turn their ideas into action. 

One group from Maryborough said they were concerned about the high rate of teenage pregnancy in their community. They proposed inviting guest speakers and teenage mothers to educate school students about the issue.