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.

Ten years ago, when Alex was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease and two other autoimmune conditions, she quickly learned how tough it was to find safe, gluten-free food – especially in a regional town. But it wasn’t just about food; explaining her condition to others was a challenge too.

Her personal experience sparked the creation of “Jack the Silly-Yak,” a character initially brought to life in a children’s book to help young people understand Coeliac disease in a fun and approachable way. Jack the Silly-Yak soon became a live, interactive musical and imaginative play, performed to children in regional NSW.

From this work, Alex knew there was more to be done to make Jack the Silly-Yak more accessible to kids with chronic illnesses in other regional communities.

With the help of a $6,330 grant from FRRR through the Sally Foundation Trailblazers Development Fund, Alex was able to take Jack the Silly-Yak to a whole new level. Partnering with the Hunter Business Centre, they developed The Giggle and Learn program. This online program includes three music videos and three seven-minute episodes starring Jack. These episodes mix music, craft, cooking and community outreach to create something fun and educational for kids and their families. Plus, there are downloadable resources so families can easily access everything they need to learn about living with Coeliac Disease and other chronic illnesses.

The outcomes of the video program have been remarkable. Alex is thrilled with how well the program turned out, saying, “I’m so proud of the quality of this program and how it gives the same level of fun and information that my live shows do.”

The Jack the Silly-Yak grant project has successfully expanded the reach and impact of Alex’s original vision, ensuring that kids with chronic illnesses are not only seen and heard but also empowered and supported, no matter where they live.

The online program has made it possible for families across Australia to access critical information about living with chronic illnesses. Whether in a city or a remote regional town, children and their families can now learn about Coeliac disease and other conditions in an engaging and easily understandable format.

Through the project, Alex has been able to develop meaningful relationships within the gluten-free community. These connections have helped to strengthen the message and value of the program, ensuring that it resonates with families and communities alike, as well as helping to grow the audience and therefore increase awareness and representation of both Coeliac and non-Coeliac kids.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was the opportunity to support regional creatives, by providing paid and fulfilling work to four filmmakers and artists. Supporting local talent is a key focus for Alex, and she is committed to continuing this approach in future projects.

Kowanyama is a small, very remote town in the Gulf Country in QLD and it ranks as one of Australia’s most socially and economically disadvantaged communities.  

Sadly, the community has experienced a disproportionate amount of sorrow and trauma in recent years, yet it has limited places for families and community groups to safely meet and hold traditional gatherings, eat together or hold community events.

But that’s changed thanks in part to a $10,000 Strengthening Rural Communities grant. A new communal fire pit, picnic table and shelter against harsh weather conditions have been built. The people of Kowanyama now have a place to socialise and connect, which is a critical part of fostering wellbeing and strengthening the community.

This project was led by Out There Kowanyama (OTK), a dynamic, volunteer-run organisation that works to create hope and opportunity in the remote community by empowering youth with various projects and activities. OTK has a strong understanding of the community’s needs, and this project was an expansion of the community park and picnic area they had previously developed.

Although the pandemic caused a delay in completing this project, the new amenities were successfully installed by 2021 and the community reaction has been wonderful.

OTK Treasurer, Lara Wieland, shared the following with us:

“This is a place we could come and relax and get away from things when we’re stressed.”

“This could be a neutral place for mediations.”

“Counsellors could use this to catch up with people who don’t want a home or clinic visit.”

“We will hold our next women’s group here.”

“What a great place to come and hold an event. I especially like the firepit.”

“People can gather here in the shade after funerals or christenings and the old people will have somewhere shady to sit.”

In partnership with the Sally Foundation and the ABC, FRRR has awarded $40,000 in grants to eight youth-led community projects in remote, rural and regional Australia as part of the Trailblazers program. The young people have partnered with local community organisations to receive the grants.

Trailblazers are invited to apply for funds to help them to take their project ideas to the next level, or for personal development opportunities to build their skills and networks and boost their capacity to strengthen their community. This year’s themes centred around inclusivity, access to services and education, as well as improving social connectedness.

Lauren Ryan, FRRR’s Youth Futures Manager, said that it was great to have several alumni on the Advisory Panel.

“This year we had four previous Trailblazers helping out with the selection process, all of whom provided unique insights, curiosity and constructive feedback to the applicants.

“Three of the Trailblazers to receive funding this year are previous grant recipients. The idea behind funding them again is to help in developing capacity for the sustainability of their projects, which are making a great impact within their communities.”

The Sally Foundation partners with FRRR through a Giving Sub-Fund, which helps to ensure that their funding reaches groups and young people in all corners of the country. The priority of this fund is to invest in young regional leaders to build their leadership skills, and their capacity to make a difference in their communities.

Co-founder of The Sally Foundation, Geraldine Roche, said “The Trailblazers program has shown to be an important stepping stone for the young people involved to achieve and exceed their goals within their communities. Grants from the Development Fund are designed to help these change-makers do what they can to make regional Australia a better place.

“This is our fifth year in supporting Trailblazers, and it’s inspiring to see their enthusiasm and the impact of their projects addressing the needs of young people in their local communities.”

This year’s recipients are detailed below.

A report commissioned by FRRR into its long-running Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) drought support program has found that funding local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) and community groups and activities that strengthen social capital during drought sustains communities and supports recovery.

The TTTT program ran from 2014 to 2022 and was collaboratively funded by government and philanthropy, awarding $18.6 million via 681 grants. The majority of funding – 84% – went to outer regional, remote or very remote community groups, which often struggle to access other funding. At least half a million people benefited from the program.

The report found there were clear benefits from the projects funded, both during the drought and in the longer-term. The funding helped mitigate the extreme impacts of drought on local people and communities, either directly through investment in human and social capital, or indirectly through built infrastructure investment, strengthening the enabling conditions for short and long-term community vitality.

The review also found:

FRRR’s CEO, Natalie Egleton, says that the TTTT program remains a unique grant program in the funding landscape across remote, rural and regional Australia.

“This program is unmatched in terms of supporting regional communities throughout the drought, and to a depth and ease of accessibility when other funding was not readily available. While there were guidelines of course, the program was flexible and allowed community groups to respond to and prioritise what was important in their town.

“Some of the other key learnings were around the importance of having a longer than usual timeframe for groups to deliver the projects, as well as the importance of the funding being available for more than just two or three years. This allowed some places to co-design projects that have had a lasting legacy. Continued support after drought-breaking rain was also critical,” she explained.

This report has reinforced FRRR’s advocacy for funding that is right-sized and tailored to rural communities and grassroots NFPs during drought as an approach that can mitigate the effects of drought on communities, economies and landscapes.

You can read the report online on FRRR’s website.

FRRR is hosting a webinar to share more of these learnings on Thursday 29 August, from 1:00-2:00 pm AEST. Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/tackling-tough-times-together-frrr-webinar.   

Women in the 200+ rural community of Hamilton in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania are healthier and happier, thanks to a series of workshops that focused on empowering women and building their resilience. The sessions were supported by a $5,000 grant through FRRR’s Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants program that helped cover food costs and speaker fees, making it affordable for many rural women to attend.

The sessions came about after the The Hamilton District Agricultural Show Society (HDASS) committee volunteers noticed that women in the district often felt lonely and isolated, as facilities closed down, leaving them fewer options to get involved in activities. Add to that the challenge of balancing work, family life, sport, hobbies, managing access to health services and more.

The committee therefore decided to plan something to bring them together and learn new skills, in the belief that strong women create strong families and communities. The grant meant the committee could offer a series of workshops rather than only one, helping participants build their network and cement connections with new and familiar people.

They ran four sessions from June to December 2023, each with a different topic around the theme of empowering women and building their resilience:

1. The power of the written word – about how reading and book clubs can provide a fabulous networking opportunity for attendees.
2. Resilience through self-care – addressing common health issues for women and reinforcing the need to be proactive in managing your health.
3. Strength through agriculture and community – tips on managing mental health challenges and how important friends and colleagues are in times of need.
4. Protecting rural communities from within – sharing how building connections can help prevent crime in rural communities.

Joanna Jones from the HDASS committee reported that the program brought together around 70 people from a diverse range of ages, social backgrounds, education and jobs, and encouraged learning from the presenters, as well as each other.

“Bringing together people from different facets of the community, and allowing people to make new connections and friends was a highlight … This was a fantastic program. It was also lovely that a representative from Nutrien was able to attend two of the workshops, and see the difference the funding made to the community,” she said.

Community Action Inc (CAI) is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Gympie, QLD. It is a registered community housing provider with a mission to provide housing and support services in response to community needs. In partnership with Gympie and District Sustainability Alliance (GADSA), they received a $20,000 grant in Round 1 of the Community Led Climate Solutions (CLCS) program, funded by Hand Heart Pocket, for their Building Energy Efficiency Project (CAI BEEP). GADSA is a volunteer-led organisation committed to promoting sustainable communities through the use of technology to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

This project stood out due to its strong alignment to several grant criteria including reducing emissions, supporting a just transition, and educating and advocating for increasing energy efficiency practices in social housing. FRRR was also impressed by the letters of support accompanying the application, demonstrating close connections within the community.

The overall objective of CAI BEEP is to increase energy efficiency in two buildings: a duplex brick veneer structure used to accommodate survivors of domestic violence; and an older elevated timber dwelling, occupied by CAI’s Youth Services Office. The project identified a multifaceted solution that could be implemented in stages involving installing solar panels, batteries, ceiling insulation and modern reverse cycle air conditioning units.

The CLCS grant will fund their first priority – the solar panels, which are anticipated to significantly reduce use of electricity from the grid and save an estimated 30 tonnes of C0₂ emissions through the annual production of 37MWh of renewable energy. In addition to emissions reduction, the project will reduce electricity costs and enable additional spending on other social projects by CAI Inc – enabling the tenants of the buildings to also benefit from the transition to renewables. The energy cost savings are estimated to be $4,000 annually across both parties.

CAI Inc is first and foremost a social housing and support program provider, so their partnership with GADSA has been critical to developing and managing the project delivery, contributing their time and knowledge.

Among the first steps was assessing the duplex under the Building Energy Rating Scheme (BERS), which guided the work program. GADSA sourced quotes for all tasks and identified the trades necessary for each job.

GADSA believes every individual, household and business can make changes to reduce their climate impacts. To help them promote the use of renewables and building efficiency solutions, such as ceiling insulation, to other social housing providers to increase their emissions reduction and social justice impact, GADSA ultimately plans to document this project.

This project demonstrates the power of collaboration and the impact of highly-skilled and energised volunteers, leading to a locally-led and impactful, climate solution.

With support from a variety of generous supporters including The Sally Foundation, Seaton Foundation and Bunnings Warehouse, FRRR awarded $36,000 via six grants to not-for-profit community organisations in and around Lismore for a variety of projects aimed at supporting local youth.

The FRRR ABC Takeover Youth Catalyst Grants support communities to take action on the ideas generated by regional youth at the annual ABC Takeover Regional Summit. The annual Takeover Summit provides local students with a platform to speak up and have their voices heard on issues that matter to them within their own community.

The grants provide a mechanism for these ideas to become reality in their community, with project delivery intended to establish a greater connection between youth and community organisations; support youth to drive change in their community by backing their ideas; and ensure that young people are valued for their contributions and time.

Thanks to a $8,904 SRC grant supported by the Sidney Myer Fund, Telethon Speech & Hearing Inc was able purchase cutting edge screening technology to streamline its early detection and surveillance of hearing loss at early childhood centres and primary schools across the Pilbara, Kimberley and Wheatbelt regions of WA. Many children in these regions are at risk of developing chronic ear health conditions, which impact all facets of their life including social, behavioural and academic performance, if not addressed early.

The HearX apps and four digital devices have enabled screening and clinical hearing tests to be undertaken in a faster, more reliable way. The software supersedes traditional devices, so that ear screenings can be conducted with a tablet. This was particularly important for Telethon when its regular ear health clinics had to be cancelled due to COVID and a major flood in Onslow. Fortunately, Telethon’s locally based team was able to upskill early years educators, teachers and nurses to undertake the screenings and Telethon’s audiologists could then analyse data and generate reports remotely.

“We have since integrated a tele-health component into our audiology service offerings, allowing our locally based teams to screen children and liaise with our Perth audiology team in real time. This has allowed us to diversify our service delivery modalities, ensuring more frequent hearing supports than would otherwise be on offer pre-COVID.”

Nearly $280,000 supports 16 initiatives across Australia

FRRR has awarded $278,693 in grants for projects that will help remote, rural and regional communities decarbonise, adapt to a changing climate, and mitigate the risks of global warming.

The 16 community-driven projects are the first through FRRR’s Community Led Climate Solutions program, thanks to support from Boundless Earth and Hand Heart Pocket.

Grants include $14,957 to support regenerative farming practice for soil health and emissions reductions in Macleay, NSW; $20,000 to build energy efficiency for social housing in Gympie, QLD; $20,000 to provide information and links to employment pathways through pop-up events in Gippsland, VIC; and $20,000 to enable a local Indigenous community in NT to build their capacity in order to establish their own solar microgrid and reduce reliance on diesel-powered electricity.

Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s General Manager – Partnerships & Services, said that the applications reflected the diversity of community organisations in Australia, the variety of climate solutions underway across rural communities, and the breadth of opportunities available to enable local groups to take action.

“The requests we received reinforce the fact that these communities are being impacted socially, economically and environmentally by increasing temperatures and extreme weather events. These communities are aware and concerned about the impacts of a changing climate, and these projects demonstrate their ambition to engage locals in conversations about their region’s future, and lead their community in taking action to reduce emissions.

“People living in remote, rural and regional communities have the knowledge and ideas to implement solutions that can help to decarbonise, mitigate climate risks, and adapt in a changed climate environment. But they need a hand to take action.

“With the support of Boundless Earth and Hand Heart Pocket, we’ve been able to fund 16 place-based, community-led climate solutions projects, which we hope will influence and deliver change for social, environmental and economic community benefit across remote, rural and regional Australia,” Ms Matthee said.

Organisations awarded Community Led Climate Solutions grants, and their funded projects, include:

• Original Power Ltd with Ngardara Cooperative Ltd – Borroloola, NT – Support a local, Indigenous community to establish their own solar microgrid, providing them with a sustainable energy source and reducing their reliance on diesel-powered electricity – $20,000
• Surfers for Climate – Byron Bay, NSW – Engage and educate tradespeople who surf in sustainable and circular building practices through local workshops in coastal NSW – $20,000
• Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland Inc – Yeppoon, QLD – Drive education and engagement on climate change and the transition to renewable energy sources in Central Queensland by screening a documentary and presenting an experienced panel including local and national representation – $3,905
• Cire Services Incorporated – Yarra Junction, VIC – Promote circularity practice with reuse and repurpose workshops that will reduce landfill and develop skills that enable sustainable practices – $20,000

FRRR and its donor partners are committed to funding community-led solutions that reduce emissions and address the impacts of climate change. Community-led solutions help drive positive and sustainable environmental, social and economic outcomes for remote, rural and regional Australia. FRRR welcomes further contributions to this collaborative pool of funds to grow the impact that can be generated across remote, rural and regional Australia. For more information, please visit https://frrr.org.au/giving/.

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