Media releases: 12 March 2025
Grants up to $10,000 to tackle issues that matter most to rural youth
FRRR has grants of up to $10,000 available to not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in rural communities to work with local young people to kickstart projects inspired by this year’s ABC Heywire winners.
The FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program, encourages NFPs in remote, rural and regional areas to engage, consult and involve young people to design and develop projects based on one of six ideas identified at the annual ABC Heywire Regional Youth Summit.
The ideas address some of the most critical issues affecting remote, rural and regional youth today, as workshopped by the 38 young Summit participants at the week-long event in early February.
This year, the projects need to adopt, adapt and respond to one of the following ideas:
- Youth Ignite: Rekindling community spirit andimproving trust between young people and their communities
- How 2 Adult: Equipping young people with practical life skills needed for post-school life
- Full Plate Pantry: Breaking down the stigma surrounding food insecurity in regional communities
- HARK (Helping Australians in Rural Kommunities): Making career opportunities more accessible for young people living in the country
- Wellness Wagon: Connecting regional young people with the health support they need
- CommUnity: Using lived-experience to educate and celebrate different cultural diversity
There is $100,000 in funding available nationally, thanks to the generous support of The Sally Foundation, David Mactaggart Foundation and private donors. An additional $17,500 is also available specifically to fund projects in Queensland, thanks to The John Villiers Trust.
Tayah from Pambula Beach, NSW, is a 2025 Heywire Winner and was part of the group that created the How 2 Adult project idea.
“If we want a bright future for our country, we need to empower and educate young people about how to make informed decisions in all areas of their life.
“I’m hoping Pambula Beach charities are just as passionate as I am about our community’s future generations. I’d love to work with one of them to create and deliver a program that teaches life skills to young people. Making this happen would be a dream come true,” Tayah said.
Deb Samuels, FRRR’s People Portfolio Lead said that the success of youth-led programs such as Heywire have been demonstrated through the real impact that funded projects can make.
“It’s a magical thing to see such drive and innovative thinking spring from young people in rural communities right across Australia. It’s so evident that they love living in the places they’re from, and they are passionate about shaping a better, sustainable future for other young people.
“We have seen incredible initiatives and outcomes over the last 13 years of the program. This is a real testament to the value of empowering our youth to lead, to continue developing their skills and to know they are supported to play an active role in addressing issues that are relevant to them as young people in regional areas.
“There is such strength in harnessing the perspectives and lived experience of our young changemakers and it’s a real joy to see how past Heywirers continue to show up for their communities. They do more than advocate for change; they live it, and make it happen.
“I look forward to seeing how the next generation of young rural leaders can work with their communities to deliver meaningful projects,” said Ms Samuels.
Justin Stevens, ABC Director News, said the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program is one way that rural communities can collaborate with young people to create a sustainable future for their towns.
“This work offers a tangible means to motivate the next generation of leaders from remote, rural and regional areas. The projects directly respond to the issues that are most important to them and to their communities,” Mr Stevens said.
To date, more than $1.7 million in community and philanthropic investment has helped to fund more than 210 projects in more than 151 communities.
Applications close 5pm AEST Wednesday 30 April, and recipients will be announced in August.
More information about the six ideas is available at https://www.abc.net.au/heywire/grants, and more information about the available grants can be found on the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants page.
