Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is inviting not-for-profit organisations to collaborate with local young people in remote, rural and regional communities to design and deliver local solutions that respond to the issues that matter most to Australia’s rural youth.

Earlier this month, more than 30 young people from across rural Australia attended a week-long Summit in Canberra, where they shared their stories and discussed their most common areas of concern and discussed “How might we…”

• help young people learn about respectful relationships and consent?
• connect young people with development opportunities in their communities?
• help communities connect without alcohol or drugs?
• support regional communities before and after a disaster?
• remove barriers and bias in healthcare for regional young people?
• create safe spaces where young people can connect and grow?

Through the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program, local groups and NFPs are now invited to put forward an idea for a grant of up to $10,000 to activate a locally designed initiative that addresses one of the six issues. 

The submissions will then be shortlisted by the young people who identified the issues, with a number of organisations invited to submit full applications. 

They will then be reviewed by a Youth Assessment Panel, who will recommend which projects should be funded.

Deb Samuels, FRRR Head of Partnerships, says that the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program is a great opportunity for young people to step up as leaders and local changemakers. 

“Over the past 13 years, we’ve seen firsthand the catalytic impact that occurs when young people are given the opportunity to address issues that matter to them in ways that work for their own communities.

“This year we are calling on rural councils, schools and community organisations to put this opportunity in front of young people, and to support them to imagine their own solutions and access the support to see those ideas brought to life.”  

Justin Stevens, ABC Director News, says the program continues to empower young people to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities. 

“The ABC Heywire Regional Summit brings together young people from every corner of Australia, and the issues that they identify reflect the real challenges facing young people on the ground,” he says.

“FRRR’s funding plays an important role in the Heywire program. It enables communities to create real impact, while reinforcing to young people that their voices matter and that they can be leaders in their communities.”

This round has $100,000 in funding available nationally, thanks to the support of The Sally Foundation, David Mactaggart Foundation, Kellogg’s and private donors. 

Expressions of Interest close 5pm AEDT Wednesday 11 March, with those invited required to submit full applications by 30 April. Recipients will be announced in July.

More information about the grants can be found on the FRRR website.