Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

Six community organisations stepping up to support local youth

Six local community organisations are using $48,000 in funding from FRRR to continue to work with Latrobe Valley’s young people to deliver projects that address the issues identified at the ABC Takeover Summit held in Latrobe Valley in September.

Takeover Latrobe Valley participants

Hosted by ABC and FRRR, the Takeover Summit is a week-long, place-based storytelling and capacity building program that empowers young people to share their voices and make a positive impact in their community by working with local organisations to develop youth-led solutions to issues that affect them most.

Funded through the Takeover Youth Catalyst Grants program, the grants will fund the six projects co-designed by 35 of Latrobe Valley’s young changemakers and ambassadors from each of the organisations.

The projects focus on a range of issues, including encouraging positive connections with other local young people and the community; supporting creative and physical expression; and engaging with accessible educational materials to enable young people to make informed decisions for their future.

Deb Samuels, FRRR’s People Portfolio Lead, said the Takeover Summit was an amazing opportunity for the not-for-profit community to connect and work alongside the next generation of community leaders.

“FRRR worked closely with the ABC to identify six local partner organisations that share our vision of empowering young changemakers by giving them a voice and the tools and resources they need to drive change on issues that matter most to them.

“A mentor from each organisation worked alongside young people to bring their ideas to life and start to build these important connections as they become the community-focused professionals, creatives, policy-makers and volunteers of the future.

“With the support of our funding partners, FRRR provided the Takeover Youth Catalyst Grants to fund six youth co-designed projects now being delivered in the Latrobe Valley region.

“This unique granting program inspires hope and confidence in young people and affirms to them that their ideas are worthwhile; that organisations within their community and local leaders believe in them; and that they can have a voice and be agents of change within their community,” Ms Samuels said.

Justin Stevens, ABC Director News, said supporting young people’s ideas through the Takeover program benefited their communities.

“The stories we’ve heard from the Latrobe Valley’s young people demonstrate the incredible diversity of this region.

 “The community connection fostered through Takeover Latrobe and the ongoing community efforts demonstrate the power that young people’s stories can have,” Mr Stevens said.

These grants are generously co-funded by contributions from the Brian M Davis Foundation, the Sally Foundation and Bunnings Warehouse.

Community groups or businesses that want to also support the projects are encouraged to get in touch to help bring them to life.

The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
Morwell Neighbourhood House & Learning Centre (Inc 3256)HYPE - Helping Young People Everywhere
Prepare young people for future careers with a series of videos on job seeking tailored to the Latrobe Valley.
Morwell, VIC$8,000
Regional Arts Victoria Imagine and Bloom – Latrobe Art Market
Boost young people's involvement in the creative arts space by pioneering a Maker's Market alongside other artists in the community.
Morwell, VIC$8,000
Gippsland Climate Change Network IncorporatedOn a Good Note
Developing hopeful and helpful videos for multiple social channels for youth to see positive stories of environmental projects.
Traralgon, VIC$8,000
Gippsland Youth Spaces Inc.Your Journey
Create more positive mentors for youth in Latrobe through the production of a youth journal.
Morwell, VIC$8,000
Latrobe Community Health Service LtdCaring for Caring
Equip youth to build resilience and be prepared to support the mental health struggles of family and friends.
Morwell, VIC$8,000
Gippsport IncorporatedRecRev (Recreation Revolution)
Encouraging young people to get involved in physical activity during a one-day showcase of recreation opportunities to increase community connections and their sense of belonging.
Traralgon, VIC$8,000