The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) are now inviting applications for grants of $50,000 from individuals to develop innovative ideas that enhance the lives of young people (aged 12-30) in remote, rural, and regional NSW.

The grants are available through the Backing the Future program which has already supported 28 individuals in NSW by investing $1.4 million in their rural youth-focussed projects.

Jenny Wheatley, VFFF CEO, said the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation is excited about Backing the Future’s potential to discover transformative ideas.

“Our experience shows that the hardest part of getting a project off the ground is securing initial funding to test the idea,” Ms Wheatley 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.”

Unlike many other programs, VFFF’s granting structure enables Backing the Future to fund individuals without requiring the backing of an established organisation, eliminating traditional barriers to entry.

Natalie Egleton, FRRR CEO, said that the innovative partnership between FRRR and VFFF means the Foundation can respond to the needs of young people in each community in an agile way, which has resulted in projects with amazing ongoing impacts.

“The growing Backing the Future network is quickly becoming a high-impact alumni of next-gen rural leaders,” Ms Egleton said.

“We are keen to keep this momentum growing and make sure more rural NSW communities know about the Backing the Future program.

“We encourage any interested applicants in these regions to reach out to organise a face to-face chat with our team members about your project ideas.”

The Youth Futures team will also be holding a webinar at 12pm next 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 plus with an idea to benefit young people in their remote, rural or regional NSW community.

VFFF’s Stories of Giving and Receiving podcast features the journeys of past recipients, highlighting their learnings, successes and advice.

It’s a valuable resource to changemakers looking to apply for Backing the Future.

The program uses an Expression of Interest process, with EOIs due July 28. Successful EOIs will be invited to submit a full application from Wednesday, August 13.

Full applications close on 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