GRANTS of $50,000 for innovative ideas that will enhance the lives of young people in rural and remote New South Wales are now open through the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal and Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation.
Through the Backing the Future program, $1.4 million has already supported 28 individuals to assist in youth focused projects.
VFFF CEO Jenny Wheatley said she looks forward to hearing more inspiring ideas.
“Our experience shows that the hardest part of getting a project off the ground is securing initial funding to test the idea,” she said.
“This is especially true in rural and remote areas, where high costs and smaller populations make piloting new projects even more challenging.
“Backing the Future bridges this gap by trusting that leaders in local communities can create transformative opportunities for young people, when provided with the right resources.
“Applicants not only get the grant funding, but they are also connected in with the staff from FRRR, who provide additional capacity building, connections and networking to ensure that grantees have an opportunity to pilot innovative ideas.”
Grant recipient Bianca Bellicanta said receiving the grant made a huge impact.
“Backing the Future gave me the chance to lead a project that truly made a difference,” she said.
“With my $50,000 grant, and support from the Backing the Future team, I was able to work alongside young emerging artists from across the Bega Valley to bring a stunning mural to life.
“I created paid opportunities for these young local artists and ran creative programs that connected and inspired young people to talk about environment and community impact.
“It’s been a huge learning curve and a really rewarding way to grow my leadership and community building skills.”
The Youth Futures team will be holding a webinar at 11.30am Monday, July 7, and FRRR encourages interested applicants to register to learn more.
Register at: https://ow.ly/OWSH50W8a6c.
Applications are open to anyone aged 18+ with an idea to benefit young people in their remote, rural or regional NSW community.
The program is now using an expression of interest process, with EOIs open Monday, June 16 and due Monday, July 28.
Successful EOIs will be invited to submit a full application from Wednesday, August 13.
Full applications close 5pm on Monday, September 8.
To learn more, head to www.frrr.org.au/backing-the-future or call 1800 170 020 and speak to FRRR’s youth futures manager Lauren Ryan.
