Four young Indigenous leaders have been recognised in Victoria for their outstanding achievements through the 26th Ricci Marks Awards.

First held in 1997 as the Aboriginal Young Achievers Awards and renamed in 2005 after Mr Marks, a Wotjobaluk man and recipient of the award who made a significant contribution to his community in his short life, the Ricci Marks Awards recognise individual achievements and aspirations of First Nations people aged 16 to 25.

This year Kobe Atkinson, Tanisha Lovett and Braydon Saunders were awarded Ricci Marks Awards, whilst Djakira Hope was recognised through the Rising Star Award.

Supported by the Victorian Labor government and funded through the Victorian Government's Community Support Fund, the Ricci Marks Awards winners will receive a $5,000 bursary to enable them to continue their community work, whilst the Rising Star Award winner will receive $1,500.

Mr Atkinson, a Bangerang and Wiradjuri man, was recognised for his work in social justice and public policy.

He has served on the boards of multiple Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and advisory bodies, and is planning to pursue a career in the public service, specifically to advocate for First Peoples.

Ms Lovett received her award for tireless work as an artist and mentor, including leading the Wotjobaluk Ceremonial Dance group and the Wotjobaluk Youth Kinship Camps.

The Gunditjmara and Wotjobaluk women is passionate about protecting the interest of Aboriginal Victorians and supporting the work of young leaders.

Mr Saunders, a Gunditjmara man, gives people from across the country and the world the chance to learn about Gunditjmara heritage, including at the world-heritage listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, as a tourism operator.

Furthermore, he jointly created the Native Nations project, which won a New Zealand Tourism Award.

This year's Rising Star Award winner, Gilgar Gunditj and Gunai Kurnai woman Djakira Hope, is works with children with autism and is training in play therapy.

A qualified Mental Health First Aid facilitator, Ms Hope also coordinates netball umpires at her local sports club.

Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins congratulated the winners, noting the Ricci Marks Awards are a "wonderful way to recognise outstanding young First Nations Victorians – empowering them to continue their work in their communities".

"These award recipients are inspirational role models – they should be enormously proud of what they've accomplished for their communities and for themselves," she said.