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How do we make life better for youth living in regional Australia?

Applications are now open for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants!

A group of 37 young Australians got together at the 2020 Heywire Regional Youth Summit to answer the question, “How can we make life better for young people living in regional Australia?”

Together, the aspiring leaders narrowed down the most important issues facing young people and the broader community living in regional Australia.

What they developed were solutions uniquely designed to tackle issues including 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 Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and its donor partners have provided more than $100,000 in seed funding annually to help at least 10 not-for-profit community organisations turn these ideas into reality.

Chief Executive Officer of the FRRR, Natalie Egleton, said the projects developed at the Heywire summits had the potential to have a direct impact on youth living in rural, regional and remote Australia.

To date, that’s nearly 100 projects impacting more than 160 communities,” Ms Egleton said.

“At FRRR, we are driven by a deep belief that local leaders, including youth, are best placed to understand and act on what is needed for their community to thrive.

“That’s why we advocate for and support community-based solutions for community issues.

“Past Heywire ideas have had a major impact.”

Community organisations are invited to apply for a share in $100,000 in grants, to bring one of the following six youth-developed ideas to life.

Idea 1: Green Book

Green Book seeks to encourage youth to connect with their local, natural environment and to build and strengthen local communities.

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