Regional communities are being encouraged to apply for funding from the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal (FRRR) to kick start projects developed at the 2020 ABC Heywire Regional Youth Summit, held in Canberra earlier in the year.
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More than 50 young people from across Australia came together at the summit to generate ideas aimed at making regional Australia an even better place to live for younger Australians.
The 2020 ABC Heywire group developed solutions to issues that related directly to their lives in regional and rural communities. These included issues dealing with disengaged young people, access to medical services, youth mental health, careers in agriculture, access to education, environmental care and knowledge of all cultures.
The Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal and its partners are offering $100,000 in grants to organisations interesting in implementing these ideas.
ABC Heywire participant, Mitchell Agnew, said all six Heywire ideas were informed by the experiences of this year's Heywire winners, designed to combat challenges they themselves had faced.
"Heywire gives us a voice and an opportunity I will always be grateful for. Now it's up to you. These ideas were born from our stories, passion, love and fun. Adopt an idea and grow them into movements of change within your regional communities," Mitchell said.
The Youth Innovation Grants, now in their eighth year, have led to more than 85 youth-developed projects in close to 200 communities nationwide, through $1.2 million in community and philanthropic investment. The grants are assessed by a committee of young people including Heywire alumni. Many of the projects funded are youth-led.
ABC Chair Ita Buttrose AC OBE said that one of the great outcomes from ABC Heywire was seeing the many ideas the program had generated becoming a reality as a result of the FRRR grants.
"The grants program has resulted in innovative projects across many communities, tackling issues like mental health, multiculturalism, pathways for young people in agriculture, and access to education. Heywire has reinforced my belief in the enormous value of the ABC and the vital and unique role it plays as part of the fabric of Australian life. Thank you Heywirers for sharing the stories of your life in regional and rural Australia."
More information about the grants program and all the ideas can be found at abc.net.au/heywire/grants.
Applications open today and community organisations have until 26 May 2020 to apply.
