Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

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.

Group of youths celebrating with a balloon garland in the background.
Riverland Youth Theatre in Renmark, SA have been awarded an FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovations Grant for their The Bigger Picture project

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:

  • MEE (Mentoring Educating Empowering): close the gap in accessing quality education for young people;
  • A Place for You: improve access to mental health services;
  • The Bigger Picture: empower young people in regional towns to celebrate their differences and foster connection among themselves; and
  • Youth 2 Grassroots: promote a stronger connection between individuals and their land by fostering a culture of environmental protection and stewardship.

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.

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
NEW SOUTH WALES
The Dunn & Lewis Youth Development Foundation Limited on behalf of Connect 4 CommunityThe Bigger Picture
Enhance community identity and wellbeing by creating social spaces and activities for young people.
Ulladulla$4,000
The Dunn & Lewis Youth Development Foundation Limited on behalf of Live SkillfullyMEE (Mentoring Educating Empowering)
Equip young people with essential life skills and boost their confidence for post-school life.
Ulladulla$2,200
The Returning Indigenous Corporation

Youth 2 Grassroots
Empower First Nations high school girls by enhancing cultural connection and future employment skills.

Alstonville$10,000
QUEENSLAND
Ability Agriculture Foundation LimitedThe Bigger Picture
Empower students with disabilities in agriculture by funding Vegepods for 10 rural schools, promoting inclusive education and fostering interest in agricultural careers.
Various Locations$10,000
Beaudesert State High School P&C AssociationThe Bee Your Personal Best Project
Strengthen food security education by funding an apiary at Beaudesert State High School, enhancing student engagement, community involvement, and environmental understanding.
Beaudesert$7,764
Bundaberg Regional Council

A Place for You
Address mental health challenges and social isolation by training Peer Group Facilitators to lead inclusive, youth-led projects that enhance self-confidence and community cohesion.

Bundaberg$10,000
Co-Exist Australia LtdYouth 2 Grassroots
Empower youth leaders to sustain environmental action by funding Collective Leaders, ensuring consistent monthly events and enhancing wellbeing for young participants.
Cairns$9,960
National Rural Health Student Network MEE (Mentoring Educating Empowering)
Promote rural health careers inspiring Indigenous students in rural and remote QLD to pursue health careers, to enhancing healthcare access and representation.
Yarrabah$10,000
The Trustee for Top Blokes FoundationMEE (Mentoring Educating Empowering)
Inspire young men in schools through a peer-led mentoring and personal development program.
Toowoomba$10,000
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Barmera District War Memorial Community Centre Inc on behalf of Part of ThingsThe Bigger Picture
Establish a creative youth space for young people to come together and connect.
Port Lincoln$10,000
Riverland Youth TheatreThe Bigger Picture
Establish a '3rd place' program for young people to come together and connect.
Renmark$9,995
The South Australian Youth Forum IncThe Bigger Picture
Enable regional youth to have their voices heard as part of a regional youth forum tour.
Various Locations$10,000
TASMANIA
Huon Valley Police & Community Youth Club IncA Place for You
Create a space for youth to come together and foster supportive networks and connections.
Huonville$9,702
St Helens Neighbourhood House Association IncThe Bigger Picture
Foster an inclusive community with a youth-led LGBTQIA+ community event.
St Helens$8,125
THEIRS IncA Place for You
Improving mental health awareness for youth with a mental health advocate tour across Tasmania.
Burnie$10,000
VICTORIA
Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network LtdYouth 2 Grassroots
Empower rural youth with skills to become leaders in grassroots climate advocacy at a national camp.
Various Locations$10,000
Wycheproof Community Resource Centre IncThe Bigger Picture
Provide Wycheproof youth with their own space with a kitchen renovation, outdoor garden and podcast series.
Wycheproof$4,020
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Green Skills IncYouth 2 Grassroots
Promote sustainable fashion and waste reduction through upcycling workshops and fashion show.
Denmark$9,000
Shire of CunderdinA Place for You
Empower Cunderdin youth with mental health support and coping strategies in a one day event with workshops and presentations.
Cunderdin$3,000