Grants available to realise youth summit’s good ideas

ABC HEYWIRE is calling on community organisations to implement ideas developed at the Heywire Regional Youth Summit by applying for seed funding through the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal (FRRR).

At the 2019 Heywire Regional Youth Summit in February, 50 young people from across Australia came together to devise ideas aimed at making regional Australia an even better place for the diverse young people who live there.

Geelong youngster Emily Kunz was part of the team that helped developed the “Walk and Talk” idea to create relaxed environments to encourage healthy discussions about mental health.

Other ideas include transitioning to independence, connecting disengaged young people to regional services, starting a business, and connecting consumers and farmers.

FRRR and its partners are offering $100,000 in grants to organisations interesting in implementing these ideas.

Heywire participant Saul Beatty said all seven of the Heywire ideas were informed by the experiences of this year’s Heywire winners, designed to combat challenges they themselves have faced.

“We came to Heywire with a purpose: we each had a life-defining story to share. We worked to develop ideas that can be adopted and implemented in local communities. These ideas were formed by our unique experiences; now it’s your chance to take them on in your own community.”

The Youth Innovation Grants, now in their seventh year, have led to more than 85 youthdeveloped 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 and the majority of the projects funded are youth-led.

Acting ABC managing director David Anderson says the grants program is a vital aspect of Heywire’s ongoing impact in regional communities.

“The ABC is proud to create a platform for young people to be heard and shape the national conversation, through Heywire. It’s inspiring to see how each year’s Heywirers use this springboard to positively influence their peers and make their communities even better places to grow up.”

For more information, head to abc.net.au/heywire/grants. Applications close on May 13.