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.
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.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| The Dunn & Lewis Youth Development Foundation Limited on behalf of Connect 4 Community | The 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 Skillfully | MEE (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 | Alstonville | $10,000 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Ability Agriculture Foundation Limited | The 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 Association | The 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 | Bundaberg | $10,000 | |||
| Co-Exist Australia Ltd | Youth 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 Foundation | MEE (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 Things | The Bigger Picture Establish a creative youth space for young people to come together and connect. | Port Lincoln | $10,000 | |||
| Riverland Youth Theatre | The Bigger Picture Establish a '3rd place' program for young people to come together and connect. | Renmark | $9,995 | |||
| The South Australian Youth Forum Inc | The 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 Inc | A 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 Inc | The Bigger Picture Foster an inclusive community with a youth-led LGBTQIA+ community event. | St Helens | $8,125 | |||
| THEIRS Inc | A 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 Ltd | Youth 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 Inc | The 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 Inc | Youth 2 Grassroots Promote sustainable fashion and waste reduction through upcycling workshops and fashion show. | Denmark | $9,000 | |||
| Shire of Cunderdin | A 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 | |||
Sixteen community initiatives that will act on issues that matter to remote, rural and regional youth will share in $148,721 in grants, through the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program.
Now in its 11th year, the youth-focused program offers funds for communities to adopt, adapt and act on the ideas generated by young Australians at the ABC Heywire program’s annual Regional Youth Summit.
This year’s 39 young Summit participants developed six exciting ideas for change on issues that matter most to rural youth, with themes addressing boredom relief; easy access to mental health support; cost of food relief; education and diverse learning needs being catered for; ensuring youth voices are heard; and creating better futures for young people with disabilities.
The idea that received most applications was ‘Boredom Relief’, which resonated extensively with young people. One of the projects receiving funding to respond to Boredom Relief will be led by 2023 Heywirer Blake, who says there is a lack of opportunities for fun youth events in rural communities such as his.
“In small rural towns, it can feel like there is nothing for young people to do. We need to make sure that there are safe events and spaces for youth, or else they will look to drugs and alcohol for entertainment and excitement.
“Our project will see young people design and lead a one-day event of live music and activities. The drug and alcohol-free event will involve young and upcoming artists, and include art and cultural activities. I know it will help the young people in our community to build connections and give them practical experience in event management.
“I’m excited for it to get underway!” Blake said.
Deb Samuels, FRRR’s People Portfolio Lead, said that this program helps to put youth-led ideas at the forefront of rural communities and helps young people to feel heard.
“Young people are the future and often we find that grassroots organisations know how important it is to involve the youth and make them part of the community, but they simply lack the capacity to do so.
“Thanks to our donor partners, this program gives community groups the support and resources they need to overcome these barriers and focus their time and energy on initiatives that will make young people feel seen and empowered.
ABC Director, News, Justin Stevens, thanked FRRR for its support.
“Heywire amplifies young rural and regional voices across our ABC platforms and the Regional Youth Summit encourages their inspiring ideas for change and helps bring them to life,” he said.
“These young innovators are Australia’s future leaders and their ideas demonstrate their understanding of what their communities need.”
Examples of this year’s projects include:
- Zero Positive for Schools in Scone, NSW received $6,200 to develop the Idea 4 Change idea by preventing climate anxiety for youth with a summit featuring youth environmentalists and support for implementing school-based action plans.
- Nganmarriyanga School in Nganmarriyanga, NT, received $10,000 to develop the Boredom Relief idea by fostering youth agency and responsibility with the opportunity for youth to design their own Boredom Relief project.
- Breakaway Toowoomba in Toowoomba, QLD, received $10,000 to develop the We Are Not Alone idea by encouraging greater visibility of disability with a youth-led accessible community event to establish support networks.
- Tomorrow Movement in TAS (statewide), received $10,000 to develop the Hear Our Voices idea by preparing youth to become leaders of community-driven climate solutions with workshops to develop skills in facilitation and visioning sessions.
- Birchip Neighbourhood House Inc in Birchip, VIC, received $10,000 to develop the Boredom Relief idea by empowering youth with skills in event management through the delivery of a youth-led arts and culture event.
- Kununurra Community Garden Kitchen in Ringer Soak, WA, received $10,000 to develop the Homegrown Hub idea by growing cultural education on Indigenous plants and increasing access to food security with the installation of a community kitchen garden.
These grants are possible thanks to the generous support of The Sally Foundation, David Mactaggart Foundation, The John Villiers Trust, AMP Foundation, as well as several private donors.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| Barkindji Maraura Elders Environment Team | Boredom Relief Strengthen community connections and wellbeing with on-Country camps for youth. | Dareton | $10,000 | |||
| Grand Pacific Health Limited | Boredom Relief Enhance a youth-led music festival to provide opportunities for young people to engage in their community. | Pambula Beach | $9,265 | |||
| Zero Positive for Schools | Idea 4 Change Prevent climate anxiety for youth with a summit featuring youth environmentalists and support for implementing school-based action plans. | Scone | $6,200 | |||
| NORTHERN TERRITORY | ||||||
| Nganmarriyanga School | Boredom Relief Foster youth agency and responsibility with the opportunity for youth to design their own Boredom Relief project. | Nganmarriyanga | $10,000 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Breakaway Toowoomba | We Are Not Alone Encourage greater visibility of disability with a youth-led accessible community event to establish support networks. | Toowoomba | $10,000 | |||
| Bridges Health and Community Care Ltd | Easy Access Equip students with strategies to improve wellbeing and navigate difficult conversations through mental health education delivered through theatre. | Monto | $5,500 | |||
| Coen Region Aboriginal Corporation | Boredom Relief Encourage youth and the community to come together at a series of outdoor movie events. | Coen | $10,000 | |||
| Now I Can Run | We Are Not Alone Encourage wellbeing and physical activity with an event to introduce race running to youth with mobility impairments. | Townsville | $9,700 | |||
| Puuya Foundation | Easy Access Strengthen youth wellbeing with on-Country camps that provide culturally appropriate mental health supports. | Lockhart River | $10,000 | |||
| TASMANIA | ||||||
| Kind Schools Limited | Idea 4 Change Foster resilience and kindness in children through mental health training for primary students. | Invermay | $10,000 | |||
| Tomorrow Movement | Hear Our Voices Prepare youth to become leaders of community-driven climate solutions with workshops to develop skills in facilitation and visioning sessions. | Statewide | $10,000 | |||
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| Bendigo Sustainability Group | Hear Our Voices Support youth skills in creative and community advocacy with workshops to develop a digital-storytelling program. | Bendigo | $9,500 | |||
| Birchip Neighbourhood House Inc | Boredom Relief Empower youth with skills in event management through the delivery of a youth-led arts and culture event. | Birchip | $10,000 | |||
| Creswick Neighbourhood Centre Inc | Boredom Relief Create a youth space to reduce isolation and improve mental health for local youth to come together. | Creswick | $10,000 | |||
| Standing Tall in Hamilton | We Are Not Alone Support mentors to become more confident and capable of working with disabled young people with youth-led access and inclusion training. | Hamilton | $8,556 | |||
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Kununurra Community Garden Kitchen | Homegrown Hub Grow cultural education on Indigenous plants and increase access to food security with the installation of a community kitchen garden. | Ringer Soak | $10,000 | |||
Grants of up to $10,000 available nationwide
Grants of up to $10,000 are now available to fund community-led projects, developed by young people, to respond to the six issues identified at this year’s ABC Heywire Youth Summit, including mental health, accessibility, youth voices, addressing costs of living and creating safe spaces – all issues that concern youth.
The FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program has supported remote, rural, and regional youth since 2013, providing them with the opportunity to not only identify the issues that matter most to them but also take action to combat them.
This year, there is $115,000 in grants available nationally and an additional $35,000 specifically to fund projects in Queensland, thanks to a new partnership with The John Villiers Trust.
The six ideas respond to common issues of concern identified by the 39 regional youth who attended the ABC Heywire Youth Summit, a youth leadership and skills development event held last month in Canberra.
FRRR and its partners will fund grants that enable activation of these ideas across rural Australia, enabling community organisations and not-for-profits that work with young people to either implement these ideas or to develop their own projects to address the issues raised, which include:
- Boredom Relief: How might we create safe spaces for youth?
- Easy Access: How might we empower regional youth to take charge of their mental health and support their mates?
- Homegrown Hub: How might we create cost of food relief in communities across Australia?
- Idea 4 Change: How might we provide resources to ensure young people are supported and engaged in their education, with their diverse learning needs catered for?
- Hear Our Voices: How might we ensure that all youth voices are heard and represented on issues that matter to them?
- We are not Alone: How might we create a better future for all young people living with a disability to feel understood and supported in regional Australia?
More details about each of these ideas can be found on the ABC Heywire website.
Kadee from Barcaldine, Queensland, Iningai Country, is a 2023 Heywire Winner and was part of the group that developed the Idea 4 Change project. Kadee said it was inspiring knowing their idea would become a reality in rural Australia.
“I’ve already had educators of my school asking heaps of questions and having me go into depth about our idea. I’m feeling intrigued to see how everyone’s ideas evolve over time and how they impact our country.”
Deb Samuels, FRRR’s People Portfolio Lead, said that to truly create impact for young people, they need to be at the table in making decisions and the Youth Innovation Grants program facilitates this.
“From idea development, through to assessing grant applications that are recommended to the FRRR Board for funding, the Youth Innovation Grants program is led by rural youth, at all stages of the program. This process ensures that funding is allocated to create impact where it matters most for young people in remote, rural and regional Australia.
“Our long-term partnership with ABC has been instrumental to the success of this program. The ABC Heywire Summit is such a powerful platform for young Australians to share their voices and ideas to policy makers, and across the nation. To be able to invest in these ideas with funding that allows communities to act on these ideas is such a phenomenal opportunity.
“We encourage rural community groups to connect with local young people, consider the six issues and work together to develop a project and application that addresses one of the issues, in a local context. Our Youth Assessment Panel and I look forward to exploring all the innovative ideas developed,” said Ms Samuels.
This is the 11th year of the partnership between FRRR and the ABC to run the Heywire Youth Innovation Grants.
“We’re proud to once again partner with FRRR to invest in youth ideas across remote, rural and regional Australia,” said Warwick Tiernan, ABC Director, Regional and Local.
“We know that young people are keenly aware of the issues that affect them and given the chance, they have the skills to develop solutions to them. Being able to back these ideas with grants to make them come to reality shows young people we are doing more than just listening, we are acting on them.
“We’re excited to see what pioneering projects come to life this year and share these stories through the ABC network.”
To date, more than $1.4 million in community and philanthropic investment has helped to fund more than 174 projects in more than 130 communities. This round of FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program is possible thanks to the generous support of FRRR’s donor partners, including The Sally Foundation, AMP Foundation, The John Villiers Trust, David Mactaggart Foundation and private donors.
Applications close Wednesday 7 June, and recipients will be announced in September. More information is available on the Youth Innovation Grants page.
Image is of ABC Heywire presentation event in the theatre at the Australian Parliament House, Canberra, by Bradley Cummings.
