Deadline: 30-Apr-25
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is accepting applications for the ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program to help communities act on issues of current concern for young Australians, as identified by youth at the annual Canberra Heywire Youth Summit.
The Heywire Youth Summit provides an opportunity for youth from across Australia to collectively identify issues that have impacted them growing up in remote, rural and regional Australia, and then develop project ideas that address these issues.
Aims
- Through these grants, this program aims to:
- Make remote, rural and regional Australia a better place to grow up for young Australians;
- Put young people at the centre of decision making about issues affecting them within their community;
- Strengthen young people’s connections to their community, by providing an avenue for organisations to engage well with youth.
Funding Information
- The Heywire Youth Innovation Grants provide up to $10,000.
- In 2025, there is $100,000 available nationally.
- In addition, there is $17,500 specifically for Queensland projects.
Eligible Projects
- Projects that can demonstrate local youth engagement, consultation and/or involvement in the design and delivery of the project will receive preference. Priority will be given to projects that are either:
- Youth-led projects: This program highly encourages projects where youth are responsible for the design and delivery of the entire project, with oversight from supporting organisations where needed. Through this grant program, youth are provided with the opportunity to gain experience and skills in project delivery and the granting process.
- Partnerships between youth and community organisations: This program encourages projects that facilitate meaningful partnerships between organisations and the youth in their community. Youth should have input into the design and delivery of the project, with the community organisation responsible for the actual program delivery.
- Youth participation in projects that strengthen the connection to their community: Community organisations that have strong connections with youth can deliver projects for the benefit of local youth.
What can be funded?
- A broad range of charitable projects are considered under this program, including:
- Delivering, or providing activities,
- events, programs and services;
- Purchasing or hiring equipment and materials;
- Community infrastructure projects;
- Organisational capacity building;
- Community resource development.
Eligibility Criteria
- To apply, you must meet the following criteria:
- Applicant organisations must be a not-for-profit organisation with either an Incorporation Certificate and/or an ABN. If you are unsure if your organisation is a registered not-for-profit (e.g. if you are a Co-operative, Other Unincorporated Entity, Public Company or Trust), please contact FRRR;
- Project must be for charitable purposes and offer clear public benefit;
- Not-for-profit organisations with or without DGR-1 endorsement are eligible; Organisations can submit one application per grant round;
- Projects must address a local issue distinctive to your community.
- Projects must take place in regional Australia, as defined by ABC Heywire – that is, outside of Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney.
- For program purposes, youth is generally defined as ages 12-28.
Ineligibility Criteria
- You will be considered ineligible if the:
- Application is submitted by individuals, sole traders, private or commercial businesses (as per the submitted ABN);
- Application is submitted by an organisation that is not a legal entity (i.e. a registered not-for profit), without the written consent of the governing / partnering body who holds the ABN / Incorporation Certificate;
- Application is submitted without required financial documentation;
- Overdue Final report/s from any FRRR grants awarded in the previous seven years have not been acquitted (delivery organisations should check with legal organisation to see if there are any outstanding final reports);
- Application is for a project or activity that has already occurred / is occurring prior to the announcement of funding.
For more information, visit FRRR.