Media releases: 10 September 2024
FRRR has today announced that 19 community organisations across Australia will share more than $157,766 from the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program grants to implement projects based on the ideas generated at this year’s ABC Heywire Summit in Canberra.
This year’s grants will help activate projects based on four of the ideas developed at the annual youth summit, all of which respond to issues that concern young people in remote, rural and regional Australia.
The original ideas were:
As part of FRRR’s commitment to supporting the transition of leadership to the next generation, the successful grants were reviewed and recommended by a Youth Assessment Committee, under the guidance of FRRR Directors and staff. FRRR also employed two interns, both former Heywire winners, over the last few months, who assisted with the program administration and assessment.
Mahsa Nabizada, Youth Assessment Committee Chair, said, “The Heywire Grants offer an incredible opportunity for young people from all corners of Australia to bring their ideas to life and actively shape their communities. It’s empowering to see these young leaders take ownership of the challenges they face and turn them into meaningful change. These grants show that when we invest in young people, we’re investing in the future of our communities.”
Deb Samuels, FRRR’s People Portfolio Lead said that pleasingly, many of these projects funded will be led by the young people that they are designed to benefit.
“Representation matters and valuing the lived experience and unique perspectives of young people is vital, so we’ve actively sought ways to involve more young people this year, plus we actively invited young people to apply for the grants. And it worked, as we saw a significant uptick in the number of applications for projects led by young people. After all, who better to know what’s going to work for other young people than their peers.
“For example, Riverland Youth Theatre has received a grant to implement The Bigger Picture idea. Led by a Heywire winner, the funds will support nine months of activities, including monthly events tailored to the interests of young people in that part of the Mallee, with a focus on queer and socially isolated youth. This kind of project is exactly why we love this program so much. It will not only deliver on the issues that the Heywirers raised at the national Summit, but in doing so, it will also build leadership skills and create employment opportunities for young people.
“This round we also saw the largest number of projects we’ve funded in Queensland, thanks to The John Villiers Trust and The Clem Jones Group. Their support has meant that we can fund seven wonderful initiatives in six communities. I really can’t wait to see what impact each of these projects has in their community over the coming year,” Ms Samuels said.
Justin Stevens, ABC Director News, said that the ABC Heywire Summit brings forth ideas created by young individuals from regional communities, aimed at benefiting their peers. “These grants provide remote, rural, and regional areas with a practical way to inspire the next generation of leaders to voice their concerns and take action on issues that matter to them and their communities.”
These grants are generously co-funded by contributions from The Sally Foundation, The John Villiers Trust, The Clem Jones Group, David Mactaggart Foundation, and several private donors. This funding announcement brings the grants total to more than $1.7 million over the last 13 years.
The full list of recipients and a snapshot of their projects are below.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| The Dunn & Lewis Youth Development Foundation Limited on behalf of Connect 4 Community | The Bigger Picture Enhance community identity and wellbeing by creating social spaces and activities for young people. | Ulladulla | $4,000 | |||
| The Dunn & Lewis Youth Development Foundation Limited on behalf of Live Skillfully | MEE (Mentoring Educating Empowering) Equip young people with essential life skills and boost their confidence for post-school life. | Ulladulla | $2,200 | |||
| The Returning Indigenous Corporation | Youth 2 Grassroots | Alstonville | $10,000 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Ability Agriculture Foundation Limited | The Bigger Picture Empower students with disabilities in agriculture by funding Vegepods for 10 rural schools, promoting inclusive education and fostering interest in agricultural careers. | Various Locations | $10,000 | |||
| Beaudesert State High School P&C Association | The Bee Your Personal Best Project Strengthen food security education by funding an apiary at Beaudesert State High School, enhancing student engagement, community involvement, and environmental understanding. | Beaudesert | $7,764 | |||
| Bundaberg Regional Council | A Place for You | Bundaberg | $10,000 | |||
| Co-Exist Australia Ltd | Youth 2 Grassroots Empower youth leaders to sustain environmental action by funding Collective Leaders, ensuring consistent monthly events and enhancing wellbeing for young participants. | Cairns | $9,960 | |||
| National Rural Health Student Network | MEE (Mentoring Educating Empowering) Promote rural health careers inspiring Indigenous students in rural and remote QLD to pursue health careers, to enhancing healthcare access and representation. | Yarrabah | $10,000 | |||
| The Trustee for Top Blokes Foundation | MEE (Mentoring Educating Empowering) Inspire young men in schools through a peer-led mentoring and personal development program. | Toowoomba | $10,000 | |||
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Barmera District War Memorial Community Centre Inc on behalf of Part of Things | The Bigger Picture Establish a creative youth space for young people to come together and connect. | Port Lincoln | $10,000 | |||
| Riverland Youth Theatre | The Bigger Picture Establish a '3rd place' program for young people to come together and connect. | Renmark | $9,995 | |||
| The South Australian Youth Forum Inc | The Bigger Picture Enable regional youth to have their voices heard as part of a regional youth forum tour. | Various Locations | $10,000 | |||
| TASMANIA | ||||||
| Huon Valley Police & Community Youth Club Inc | A Place for You Create a space for youth to come together and foster supportive networks and connections. | Huonville | $9,702 | |||
| St Helens Neighbourhood House Association Inc | The Bigger Picture Foster an inclusive community with a youth-led LGBTQIA+ community event. | St Helens | $8,125 | |||
| THEIRS Inc | A Place for You Improving mental health awareness for youth with a mental health advocate tour across Tasmania. | Burnie | $10,000 | |||
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network Ltd | Youth 2 Grassroots Empower rural youth with skills to become leaders in grassroots climate advocacy at a national camp. | Various Locations | $10,000 | |||
| Wycheproof Community Resource Centre Inc | The Bigger Picture Provide Wycheproof youth with their own space with a kitchen renovation, outdoor garden and podcast series. | Wycheproof | $4,020 | |||
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Green Skills Inc | Youth 2 Grassroots Promote sustainable fashion and waste reduction through upcycling workshops and fashion show. | Denmark | $9,000 | |||
| Shire of Cunderdin | A Place for You Empower Cunderdin youth with mental health support and coping strategies in a one day event with workshops and presentations. | Cunderdin | $3,000 | |||
