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.

This story was submitted as part of FRRR’s 25th birthday celebrations.

“As FRRR celebrates its first 25 years, we reflect on the significant impact it has had on organisations like WRNA. We are incredibly grateful for its dedication to building resilient communities, and we look forward to seeing its continued impact in the future!”

Janani Jaishankar, Media and Communications Officer

“Our organisation, We Are Not Alone (WRNA), used FRRR funding to host inclusive events that foster connection and support, such as the youth panel discussion, our WRNA workshop in South Australia and upcoming events like our WRNA Day in Toowoomba! The funding allowed us to provide free resources, collaborate with local organisations, and expand our outreach efforts to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

“Without this funding, we would not have been able to conduct free community events, provide accessible resources, or reach as many people as we did. We wouldn’t have been able to cover essential costs like venue hire, materials, and guest speakers, all while ensuring our initiatives were inclusive and accessible to all. Furthermore, we wouldn’t currently be in a position where we are confident to plan large-scale projects. FRRR’s support is not just financial – it has empowered us to make meaningful, long-term changes in our community!”

WRNA’s vision for the future

“By 2050, we envision WRNA as a nationally recognised organisation that continues to foster inclusivity, support, and connection within communities. We hope to continue to make more co-designed events for young people, by young people. Our goal is to build a network of strong partnerships, ensuring that everyone – regardless of background or circumstances – feels heard, valued, and supported. These are the small stepping stones we wish to achieve to ultimately create a long-lasting movement for disability justice in regional Australia.”

This story was submitted as part of FRRR’s 25th birthday celebrations.

“We feel very grateful to have had the support of FRRR and for the work it does in generating and distributing financial support for regional organisations and communities.”

Natalie Woods, Grants and Fundraising Coordinator

“We have been fortunate to receive a number of grants through FRRR. In 2024, a Strengthening Rural Communities grant enabled us to provide six weeks of meal support to 10 Indigenous mothers and their families, relieving the financial burden and stress of the postpartum period, while also nourishing mother and baby and creating a strong health foundation. In the same year, an ABC Heywire grant supported the establishment of a pilot program to take disengaged high school Indigenous girls out of the classroom and out on Country once a week for eight weeks. The girls reconnected to Country, culture and community, learning about their traditional bush foods, how to grow them and how to cook them. This pilot program has gone on to be funded for 2025 and 2026, thanks to the early support of FRRR. In 2025, a grant from the In A Good Place program will support the delivery of four Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Community Days, providing free resources and support for maintaining good physical and mental health.

“Without this funding, we would not have been able to get both our Indigenous Postpartum Care Program and our pilot Doobai Youth Bush Food Program off the ground. We’re grateful for the trust that FRRR shows in us and the belief in our programs and the impact we have for our local Indigenous community here on Bundjalung Country (Northern NSW).”

The Returning Indigenous Corporation’s vision for the future

“In 2050, we hope we have a strong and resilient community on Bundjalung Country – where all people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, are connected to Country, connected to each other and living healthy and resilient lives. We hope that the roles of women and mothers are valued and supported, and that our Matriarch Elders are given the support and care they deserve. We hope that everyone has access to strong local food systems, clean water and fresh air, and that our community has the strong social networks to support each other through times of disaster and crisis.”

This story was submitted as part of FRRR’s 25th birthday celebrations.

“FRRR has been more than just a funder – it has been a true partner in supporting rural and regional communities. The organisation’s deep understanding of the challenges faced by communities like ours has been invaluable. From offering flexibility when we needed to adapt programs to providing ongoing funding for impactful projects, FRRR has made an extraordinary difference. We are proud to have been part of FRRR’s journey and look forward to seeing its continued impact for years to come.”

Joy Barber Hua, Head of Marketing and Engagement

“Human Nature has been fortunate to receive multiple grants from FRRR over the years, each playing a crucial role in strengthening our ability to support young people facing complex trauma and mental health challenges in Northern NSW.

“Our first FRRR grant, awarded in 2019 through the ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant program, funded our ‘Walk & Talk’ program. This initiative provided 24 young people with ongoing therapeutic support after completing our Recre8 program, allowing them to stay connected with their mentor in a non-clinical, nature-based setting. The program fostered resilience, self-confidence and community engagement, helping young people navigate their transition back into daily life. This funding allowed us to pilot what has become our highly successful key program offering – Activ8- in which all participants commence their Human Nature journey.

“In 2021, FRRR again supported us through another ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant. This funding enabled us to deliver the ‘Support Squad’ project – an initiative designed to equip young people with the skills to safely and confidently share their lived experiences with peers, helping to break down stigma around mental health and encourage help-seeking behaviours. In addition, we received a Strengthening Rural Communities Grant, which funded 65 therapeutic mentoring sessions, ensuring young people received vital one-on-one support in the aftermath of COVID-19. These sessions included transport, referral liaison, case management, and activity costs, helping young people rebuild their confidence and re-engage with their communities. Most recently, FRRR’s support enabled us to deliver the Connected Communities project, which helped young people from flood-affected areas develop disaster preparedness skills and process their experiences through trauma-informed mentoring. This project had a profound impact, with participants creating Basic Emergency Kits, engaging in resilience-building activities and self-reporting a greater ability to manage future disasters.

“Without FRRR’s support, many young people in our region would have missed out on life-changing opportunities to heal, grow, and reconnect with their communities. From our Walk & Talk program to our recent Connected Communities initiative, FRRR’s funding has allowed us to meet young people where they are – whether in a post-flood recovery context, emerging from COVID-19 disruptions, or navigating mental health challenges. FRRR’s flexibility, including extending grant acquittal deadlines after the floods, has been instrumental in ensuring we can deliver the right support at the right time.”

Human Nature’s vision for the future

“Our vision for 2050 is a community where every young person, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the mental health support they need to thrive. We hope to see a future where trauma-informed, nature-based care is embedded in disaster recovery efforts, and where young people play an active role in strengthening their communities. With continued support from organisations like FRRR, we envision a region where no young person falls through the cracks.”

In 2022, young engineer Jameson Harvey founded Red Dirt Robotics with a vision to bring hands-on, innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) experiences to young people in remote, rural and regional Australia. Recognising the disparity in STEM education between metropolitan and rural areas – with students in regional communities are an average of 1.5 years behind – Jameson set out to empower, inspire and engage the next generation of young engineers. His journey has since evolved into a story of resilience, new connections and a growing momentum for equitable education across the outback.

Jameson’s efforts were first recognised through the ABC Trailblazers program, through which he received an initial grant to build Red Dirt Robotics’ organisational capacity. Following this, he secured an FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant and, most recently, a Backing the Future Grant, supported by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF). With these funds, Jameson has made significant strides in breaking down barriers to STEM education for remote youth.

“We all know that working in regional and remote communities, where access to robotics and 3D printers is hard to come by, is challenging,” Jameson shared. “To see students walk into the classroom a bit nervous and unsure about these fancy technologies, and then, by the end of the session, walk away confident in programming and design skills – even skills that were tricky for me to learn – is incredibly rewarding.”

In 2024, Jameson launched a three-month tour throughout rural and regional Queensland, supported by his Backing the Future Grant. Red Dirt Robotics visited 34 schools and organisations, delivering 64 interactive workshops, giving more than 900 young people the opportunity to build and program their own robots using 3D printing technology and the Micromelon Rover robotics platform. For many of these students, it was their first experience with STEM beyond a textbook.

The tour wasn’t just a learning experience for students; it also engaged nearly 100 teachers and school staff, equipping them with the tools and confidence to incorporate STEM into their own classrooms. With this hands-on experience, teachers are now better prepared to sustain STEM education within their schools. “It’s so important for me that schools and libraries don’t have to pay anything. Being able to remove that extra barrier to access STEM and technology is really exciting,” Jameson noted.

A particularly rewarding aspect of the tour was the partnership Jameson formed with Georgie Arnold of Aviatrix Australia, whom he met at the ABC Heywire Trailblazer Summit in Canberra. Together, they brought a unique combination of aviation futures, robotics, 3D printing, and drones to rural Queensland.

“After our presentations in Canberra, a lady handed me a sticky note saying, ‘I would love to see a partnership between Aviatrix and Red Dirt Robotics,’” Jameson recalled. “Georgie and I had already been brainstorming how to make it happen and it was fantastic to see it come together.”

Through these collaborations, Red Dirt Robotics’ workshops exposed students to a broad array of technologies and career pathways in fields that are often under-represented in rural areas. The impact is tangible; several schools have since committed to prioritising STEM education, ensuring that these introductory experiences are just the beginning of an ongoing journey. For Jameson, it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of consistent support and resources in sparking interest and building skills.

Reflecting on the support he received, Jameson expressed deep gratitude for the programs and funding that have helped him reach communities across Australia.

“I owe a lot to the Trailblazer and Backing the Future programs in helping me get to where I am today,” he said. “The FRRR ABC Heywire Innovation Grant allowed me to visit two really remote schools, including One Arm Point and Groote Eylandt, where I ran workshops and provided gear to have that follow-on effect once I leave.”

Jameson’s story is a testament to how a passionate individual, with the right resources and support, can drive meaningful change – even if his trusty Land Cruiser has seen better days. Red Dirt Robotics isn’t just about teaching students to build robots – it’s about building confidence, bridging educational gaps, and inspiring young people across the outback to envision a future where they can thrive and shape their communities in innovative ways.

Hear more about this project on VFFF’s Stories of Giving and Receiving podcast here.

Applications for the next round of Backing the Future – QLD grants, which help individuals bring to life ideas they have to enhance the lives of people aged 12-30, close 17 March 2025.

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.

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.

In an effort to empower local youth and provide employment skills, Karoonda District Council successfully secured a $10,000 FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant under the 2022 idea, ‘Discover Your Future’, with a project that is now brewing success for local youth.

The project, spearheaded by the council’s Youth Action Committee (YAC), aimed to provide professional training and entrepreneurial opportunities for young individuals in the small regional area, located 150 km east of Adelaide. With just 17 council staff and a population of 1,090 spread over 4,415 km², the council recognised the need for initiatives that would not only develop skills for local youth, but also nurture future leaders and provide a funding source for future youth projects.

The YAC is a group of young people aged between 12-25 designed to develop the leadership and life skills of its members. The group discusses youth issues and helps to organise youth and community events. The YAC members identified barista training as a versatile skill set crucial for enhancing employment prospects in Karoonda. With just two cafés in town, local youth faced challenges in gaining this skill set, compared to their metropolitan counterparts.

Unable to secure a trainer on site in Karoonda, the  fifteen young people aged between 13 and 20, attended training at the HG Coffee School in Adelaide. While this made for a long day, the change of site had a hidden benefit – the travel together on the bus provided valuable binding time for the young people and council staff.

The training covered theoretical and practical aspects, ranging from coffee styles to customer service and machine hygiene. From there, participants received their internationally-recognised Level 1 barista certification. From this training, two young individuals secured part-time employment locally, while three others found opportunities in Adelaide, underscoring the effectiveness of the barista training in enhancing employability.

However, the project didn’t conclude with training alone. With the acquisition of a coffee machine and equipment, the YAC established a mobile coffee business strategically located at the Karoonda Institute, a community building owned by the council and a hub for civic and community events. The youth were involved in planning and discussing different business models and the best way to run a mobile coffee setup for their community. This mini social enterprise not only provides a local platform for youth to hone their skills, but also generates ongoing revenue to support future activities and ideas by the Youth Action Committee, ensuring their sustainability and lasting impact.

Grants available to fund youth-focused community projects

FRRR is encouraging not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in rural communities to work with local young people to adopt or adapt one of the six project ideas developed at this year’s ABC Heywire Youth Summit. The ideas emerged in response to the concerns identified as being most current and critical for youth in remote, rural and regional Australia.

Funded through the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program, grants of up to $10,000 are available to kickstart initiatives that promote equitable access to local services and foster a sense of belonging and connection to peers and to the land.

The six ideas developed by the 35 young Summit participants during the week-long youth leadership and skills development event are:

• Bussin’: How might we create more accessible transport options for young people in regional and rural communities?
• MEE (Mentoring Educating Empowering): How might we close the gap in accessing quality education for young people in regional, rural and remote communities?
• A Place for You: How might we improve accessibility to mental health services in remote and regional areas of Australia?
• The Bigger Picture: How can we empower young people in regional towns to celebrate their differences and foster connection among themselves?
• Safe Sphere: How might we ensure that young people in regional and remote communities receive relevant and comprehensive sexual education?
• Youth 2 Grassroots: How might we promote a stronger connection between individuals and their land by fostering a culture of environmental protection and stewardship?

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 a partnership with The John Villiers Trust.

Amy from Mount Isa, Queensland, is a 2024 Heywire Winner and was part of the group that developed the Youth 2 Grassroots project. Amy said, “I love living in rural Queensland, and it was incredible being given this opportunity through Heywire to come up with an idea to improve life for other country kids. I’m so excited to see what comes from our idea.”

Deb Samuels, FRRR’s People Portfolio Lead, said the Foundation’s long-term partnership with ABC has led to significant outcomes for young people and communities.

“Having run the Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program for 12 years, we have been lucky enough to witness the impact that these young leaders, their ideas, and the funded projects have had on rural Australia.

“From mental health first aid training and career open days, to events that foster social and cultural connection and understanding, each project ensures young people have an active role in fostering a place that they are proud to call home.

“It gives me hope for the future of rural Australia when I see young people working to tackle issues, many of which echo the concerns we see in rural Australia more generally, head on. The projects that these grants fund help young leaders to address issues of equity and wellbeing and change the underlying narrative of what rural communities “don’t have”, by creating a future where we can celebrate all that rural Australia can offer its young people,” said Ms Samuels.

Justin Stevens, ABC Director News, said the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program empowered young people to turn their ideas into reality.

“The ideas generated at the ABC Heywire Summit are developed by young people in regional communities, for young people.

“The grants that contribute to this help provide remote, rural, and regional communities a tangible means for encouraging the next generation of leaders to have a voice and act on issues that matter to them and their peers,” Justin said.

To date, more than $1.5 million in community and philanthropic investment has helped to fund more than 190 projects in more than 142 communities.

Applications close 5pm AEST Wednesday 29 May, and recipients will be announced in August. More information about the six ideas is available on ABC’s Heywire website, and more information about the available grants can be found on the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program webpage.

The Kimba district was among the hardest hit by the destructive rain and floods of January 2022, which battered most of regional South Australia. Our Town Kimba (OTK) is a community-led initiative dedicated to enhancing community resilience in the face of mental health and wellbeing challenges. Acknowledging the necessity for heightened community engagement following the floods, particularly with local youth, OTK leveraged the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant program to connect effectively with young individuals and empower them to lead a project within their town.

In collaboration with local high school students, OTK explored the 2022 Heywire Project Ideas, ultimately selecting the Fusion Festival idea as a resonant and beneficial initiative for local youth and the community. Fusion Festival posed the question of how to raise cultural awareness and stop racism in regional communities. OTK provided mentorship to the students throughout the grant application process, successfully securing a $10,000 to create their own community fusion festival, bringing together the tastes of Kimba to be shared through food, culture, dance and live music.

Kimba’s Fusion Festival was a youth-led, hands on experience from the very start. During the planning stages of the Festival, youth were given the opportunity to cultivate skills in event management. The project engaged mentors, educators and community members to guide the process and support the youth throughout.

The Festival, which was held in October 2023, had a profound impact on the 201 school students, kindergarten attendees and staff. Commencing with Indigenous cultural sharing, the day featured a diverse array of cultural experiences and activities, fostering conversations, learning and an appreciation for cultural diversity, all of which positively influenced individuals on personal and community levels. The Festival extended into the night, attracting over 300 people from the broader community. The lively atmosphere, diverse entertainment and communal meals contributed to a profound sense of belonging, pride and community unity.

Beyond providing a platform for cultural exchange, the Fusion Festival facilitated opportunities for local businesses, volunteers and community members to come together. The positive experiences shared during the Festival cultivated ongoing relationships, community pride and strengthened the sense of place.

The grant not only supported the realisation of the Fusion Festival but also served as an opportunity to model a youth-led project in the community, highlighting the substantial value young people bring to creating a resilient and vibrant community.

The Fusion Festival was honoured at the Kimba District Council’s 2024 Australia Day Awards as the Community Event of the Year, recognising the significant impact and lasting positive influence it had on the community.