YOUTH GRANTS BOOST REGIONAL AND REMOTE AUSTRALIA
BY ASAD KHAN AND MARLI RYAN
More than $130,000 invested in youth-led solutions
Young people in regional and remote Australia are set to benefit from more than $130,000 in funding through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) ABC Heywire Youth Innovation program.
The program will support 14 community organisations in delivering youth-led projects that tackle issues such as mental health, food insecurity, practical life skills, and cultural diversity.
Ideas shaped by young voices
The grants stem from concepts developed at the annual Heywire Youth Summit in Canberra, where young leaders from across rural and remote communities share experiences and design solutions for challenges in their regions.
By translating these ideas into practical projects, the initiative ensures that youth voices directly inform programs designed to meet their needs.
Spotlight on Fitzroy Crossing
One of the successful projects is Wildflower Circle in Fitzroy Crossing. The initiative, led by Nyikina Gooniyandi woman Rishaye Shaw, aims to support young First Nations women through mental health services, educational support, and cultural connection.
Ms Shaw emphasised that the program is about creating a safe space for young women to connect, heal, and grow while navigating life between home and school.
“Going back into the community and working with them, it just gives us a bit more of an insight of how it is for these young girls living in two different worlds,” she said.
“Most of them come to schooling in Perth and then return to the community, wanting to live and work back home. It’s about creating that groundwork for a middle ground, where these young girls can fit and inspire others in their community.”
Building stronger futures
The FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation program continues to highlight the importance of community-driven solutions, ensuring that young people are not just participants but leaders in shaping healthier, more resilient futures for regional and remote Australia.
Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Marli Ryan speak with Rishaye Shaw: