Six community organisations in Latrobe Valley have received $48,000 in funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to address key issues affecting local youth. The grants are part of the Takeover Youth Catalyst Grants program, which supports projects identified at the recent ABC Takeover Summit, a week-long event focused on youth-led solutions and storytelling.

The Takeover Summit, hosted by ABC and FRRR, brought together 35 young people from Latrobe Valley to collaborate on solutions to challenges facing their communities. With support from local organisations, these young ambassadors developed initiatives promoting community engagement, creative expression, and educational resources to help their peers make informed decisions about their futures.

FRRR’s People Portfolio Lead Deb Samuels emphasised the summit’s role in building connections between young people and community leaders. “FRRR worked closely with the ABC to identify six local partner organisations that share our vision of empowering young changemakers by giving them a voice and the tools and resources they need to drive change on issues that matter most to them,” she said. “This unique granting program inspires hope and confidence in young people, affirming that their ideas are worthwhile and that they can be agents of change within their community.”

The funded projects span a range of interests and needs, from fostering social connections among youth to providing accessible educational resources. Each project is guided by mentors from local organisations, helping the young participants turn their ideas into impactful community programs.

ABC Director of News Justin Stevens highlighted the broader impact of the program, stating, “The stories we’ve heard from the Latrobe Valley’s young people demonstrate the incredible diversity of this region. The community connection fostered through Takeover Latrobe and the ongoing community efforts demonstrate the power that young people’s stories can have.”

The grants were co-funded by the Brian M Davis Foundation, the Sally Foundation, and Bunnings Warehouse, and additional support from community groups and businesses is encouraged to further enhance the projects.