By Deb Samuels, People Portfolio Lead

One of FRRR’s key strategic priorities is investing in the next generation of community-focused professionals, creatives, policy-makers and volunteers for remote, rural and regional communities across Australia. There is so much energy both internally and externally to bring this to life across all FRRR’s granting activities, from small grants to deeper capacity building. With so much momentum building, we thought it was time to share all our next gen focused activities or what we call our Youth Futures initiatives.

You are likely familiar with FRRR’s OG next gen initiative, the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program, in partnership with the ABC Heywire. Our 10+ years of partnering with the ABC has seen more than $1.5 million in grants awarded to remote, rural and regional communities to fund brilliant ideas for change developed by young people at the annual Heywire Summit in Canberra.

What you may not know is that these grants are reviewed by FRRR Heywire interns and that a Youth Advisory Committee comes together to land on what projects will have the biggest impact and makes recommendations to the FRRR Board on what to fund. These are ideas designed by young people from remote, rural and regional Australia, with funding for projects decided by young people. Last year, thanks to support from our friends at John Villiers Trust, we were able to provide a stipend to both our interns and the committee members. Representation matters and valuing the lived experience and unique perspectives of young people is vital to ensure the opportunity is open to a diverse pool of candidates.

We also have the FRRR ABC Takeover Youth Catalyst Grants, another partnership initiative with the ABC that brings young people and community together to partner with local organisations and co-design youth focused projects. Since Takeover began in Shepparton, VIC in 2022, it has continued to evolve in Mildura VIC, and most recently Takeover Lismore, NSW. Because each community is unique, each Takeover program is also unique and builds on what we’ve learned from each iteration.

What we’re super excited about as this program builds momentum, is the opportunity to help grow a local network of next generation superstars ready to take on the challenges in their region. Like the group of young people who have worked alongside Lismore Council to launch ‘High Schoolers Haven’, a youth-led pop-up event space to foster social connections, support, and skills development for Lismore youth. And the group working with Connect Northern Rivers to make a video at the local career expo that highlights great local career opportunities available for young people. Watch this space for the next Takeover locations in Latrobe, VIC this September, and two more national locations in 2025 where we will continue to evolve the program in partnership with the ABC to meet the unique needs of each community.

Our suite of Youth Futures initiatives also includes the Sally Foundation Trailblazers Development Fund, delivered by FRRR in partnership with the Sally Foundation and the ABC. This is an opportunity for young people to connect with mentors, grow their entrepreneurial skills and present their innovative ideas at Parliament House in Canberra. They are then invited to apply for seed funding to take their ideas to the next level. This program has launched shining stars like Jameson Harvey, who founded Red Dirt Robotics, who was then in a great position to become part of the 2023 VFFF Backing the Future cohort.

Which is a great segue into the newest next gen initiative on the FRRR Youth Futures block – our partnership with the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) to deliver their Backing the Future program! It’s such a unique grant program, offering $50,000 to back young changemakers and kick start a great idea that will have an impact on regional youth in NSW and QLD. This collaboration enables us to help discover and nurture promising ideas and explore the potential for significant impact that results when a great idea meets skill, innovation and start-up resourcing. FRRR is excited to be working alongside the VFFF team and utilising our networks across remote, rural and regional NSW and Queensland to connect with social entrepreneurs. If you have an innovative idea that benefits young people in your NSW or Queensland community, get in touch with us to discuss possibilities.

Did you think that was all? Not a chance! We also piloted a ‘Youth Roadmap’ in Ulladulla this year, as part of our Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program. This was another opportunity to give young people in a community a voice and support to share their ideas for change. As the IRCF program expands into new communities, we plan to make sure young people are at the table.

None of this work happens without the dedication and passion of the Youth Futures team at FRRR, led by Lauren Ryan our Youth Futures Manager. We have also just hired our first ever Youth Futures Program Officer! We look forward to making an introduction soon, and to all the great youth focused granting and activities this growing team will enable.

Whenever we engage with young people in any of our Youth Futures initiatives, we are left with no doubt that remote, rural, and regional communities are in the very best of hands. The community champions we need for the future are ready with brilliant ideas and solutions, they just need all of us to open the door of opportunity.

Applications now open for $50,000

FRRR and VFFF are now inviting applications for grants of $50,000 from individuals and groups of individuals working to enhance the lives of people aged 12-30 who live in remote, rural and regional NSW. The funding is through the Backing the Future program.

The grants are a rare opportunity for individuals to test out a new “big idea” to support young people in their community, without having to first prove the concept. The money can be used to assist in researching, piloting or accelerating early-stage ideas and can be used for a range of purposes such as paying a salary, purchasing technology or covering rent for office space, as long as it supports the approved initiative.

VFFF CEO, Jenny Wheatley, said this is the third round of this program in NSW, but the first where VFFF is partnering with FRRR.

“It is fantastic to have FRRR onboard. Not only will more people know about the program, recipients will have access to FRRR’s capacity building support throughout the duration of the grant term for example, training on impact measurement, developing sustainable projects, or good governance.  

“In the first four rounds of Backing the Future, we’ve seen passionate people make wonderful progress on youth-related issues that matter to them and their community and have enhanced the lives of young people.”

For example, Jae Brieffies had a vision to inspire young people in central NSW to think more broadly about their career opportunities, boost their aspirations and provide support to create practical plans for their future careers and lives. She and her team delivered the Bright Generation program to students in years 9-12 at five central NSW high schools, with 86% reporting increased confidence in making decisions about their future. They also hosted a three-day trip to Canberra, connecting them with mentors but also running workshops on financial literacy and job applications, alongside exploring the Australian National University and Parliament House.

“Not only was this a great outcome for young people, but Jae, as a young person, was empowered to carry out her vision. This is the kind of initiative that we are keen to support and I look forward to seeing this year’s applications,” Mrs Wheatley said.

FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, said that FRRR is excited to have the opportunity to support the next generation of leaders in remote, rural and regional NSW to bring their ideas to life.

“From our work over the last nearly 25 years, we know that young people living in the regions have some wonderful ideas. But often they can’t access the funding to get started. That’s what is really special about this program – we’re backing young people and, together, we’ll provide more than just money to help them step into these leadership roles and be a catalyst to real change.

“The exciting thing about this program is that while the project must benefit younger people, anyone who has an idea that supports young people can apply for the funding,” Ms Egleton explained.

Applications from people in NSW open today (26 July). FRRR and VFFF encourage anyone who is interested in the program to join a free webinar on 7 August, where more information about the program will be shared, including some case studies on the impact of past grants. Register at: https://events.humanitix.com/backing-the-future-webinar.

The 2025 QLD round will be opening early next year.

In the meantime, to learn more, head to https://frrr.org.au/backing-the-future/ or call 1800 170 020 and speak to FRRR’s Youth Futures Manager, Lauren Ryan.

FRRR and VFFF today announced their partnership to expand the reach and impact of the Backing the Future program, which VFFF launched in 2022.

Backing the Future supports individuals and groups of individuals working to enhance the lives of people aged 12-30 who live in remote, rural and regional NSW and QLD. It offers grants of $50,000 over 12 months to support projects that align to one or more of four focus areas.

The grants are designed as seed funding for new ideas that support young people in their community. The funds can be used to assist in researching, piloting or accelerating early-stage ideas and can be used for a range of purposes such as paying a salary, purchasing technology or covering rent for office space, as long as it supports the approved initiative.

FRRR and VFFF have a history of collaborating for greater impact in remote, rural and regional communities, and are joining forces again to ensure that more young people benefit from the Backing the Future program.

VFFF CEO, Jenny Wheatley, said that by working together, the organisations know that they can enable more great ideas to come to fruition.

“VFFF established Backing the Future to provide focussed support for youth. In our first three rounds, we’ve seen some passionate people make wonderful progress on issues that matter to them and their community and which enhance the lives of young people. By partnering with FRRR, we want to extend our support into more remote, rural and regional communities.

“By working together and leveraging FRRR’s network, we hope to see more applications from more individuals who can make a difference in the lives of young people. In addition, with a larger team than VFFF, FRRR will be able to provide more support to those leading these projects, building their capacity and strengthening community for the future,” Ms Wheatley explained.

FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, said that the timing is great, as FRRR has recently committed to doing more to support the next generation of remote, rural and regional leaders.

“Young people want to make a difference to their communities and to the success of regional Australia, but they don’t always want to do it in the traditional ways.

“Great ideas are often hindered by funding that requires a proof of concept. In contrast, this program emphasises great ideas and the enthusiasm and energy of the individual pitching the concept. It allows them to take on leadership roles and can be a catalyst to real change.

“It’s not just open to young people though – anyone who has an idea that will benefit young people in remote, rural and regional communities can apply,” Ms Egleton explained.

A great example of how FRRR and VFFF are already having an impact on young people together, is through Backing the Future grant recipient, Jameson Harvey, founder of Red Dirt Robotics.

Red Dirt Robotics had received funding through the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants to deliver two STEM workshops in remote schools. After seeing the impact of that program, Jameson used his Backing the Future grant to undertake a three-month intensive tour across rural and remote QLD teaching robotics and coding to young people.

The next round of the Backing the Future program will be for projects that benefit young people in NSW, with the grant round opening 26 July. The 2024 QLD round is currently being assessed, with the 2025 QLD round opening early next year.

A webinar will be held on 7 August, where VFFF and FRRR will share more about the program, including some case studies of the impact of past grants. Register for the webinar at: https://events.humanitix.com/backing-the-future-webinar.

In the meantime, to learn more, head to frrr.org.au/backing-the-future-by-vfff-and-frrr/ or call 1800 170 020 and speak to FRRR’s Youth Futures Manager, Lauren.