We’re thrilled to announce that Young Change Agents, in partnership with the EM-Power Foundation has been successful in securing funding as part of the Federal Government Maker Grant to deliver the First Nations Native Food Innovators program (FNNFI).
The FNNFI program immerses students in native food traditions while equipping them with STEM and business skills. By integrating Traditional Knowledge with contemporary innovation, the program fosters pride in culture while demonstrating the economic and environmental significance of native foods. Students engage in a structured design thinking process—learning empathy, problem definition, ideation, validation, prototyping and pitching—allowing them to develop real-world solutions to challenges within the native food industry.
This builds on YCA’s strong track record of ensuring equitable access to entrepreneurial education for First Nations youth through initiatives like the Lighting the Spark program, the First Nations Academy for Enterprising Girls, and our Youth Incubator (YINC) and Digital Boss programs.
Young Change Agents collaborates with Em-Power Foundation
In 2024, YCA partnered with Em-Power Foundation to expand on this work further and strengthen First Nations-led STEM and entrepreneurship initiatives in agriculture and food.
The Em-Power Foundation is an impactful Indigenous-led not-for-profit, building First Nations-led STEM and entrepreneurship initiatives in agriculture and food.
This collaboration has delivered the First Nations Future of Food program in 2024 with cultural immersion workshops across Queensland and South Australia. This program provided First Nations students with hands-on experiences that connected them to Traditional Knowledge, highlighting the significance of native foods and the opportunities they present for sustainable business and innovation. The overwhelming success of these workshops has led to an expanded program for 2025, supported by the Maker Grant, enabling even greater reach and impact.
Tiffani Seaton, YCA’s First Nations Engagement Lead, and Kamilaroi woman, says
“This marks an exciting new chapter in the ongoing partnership between Young Change Agents and the EM-Power Foundation. The First Nations Native Food Innovators program is a uniquely co-designed opportunity that empowers and connects First Nations students with Country and culture while fostering meaningful engagement across the entire school community; including educators and local Elders. This program has the potential to create lasting, positive change for everyone involved!”
In her role as Head of Programs and First Nations Engagement, Tiffani Seaton leads the national delivery of these initiatives, ensuring that First Nations perspectives are embedded throughout program design and implementation. She works closely with educators, community leaders, and industry partners to create inclusive and culturally responsive learning experiences. Tiffani’s role is to ensure that First Nations youth have equitable access to entrepreneurial education, helping them see the value of their culture as an asset in business and innovation.
Tiffani expresses her gratitude to work with Em-Power Foundation and in particular, with Holly Hoad, General Manager of EM-Power Foundation and a proud Wiradjuri woman:
“I am really looking forward to working with Holly and the Em-Power team. Holly and her team share our vision, a world where First Nations young people are supported to embrace their culture, develop entrepreneurial skills, and create opportunities for themselves and their communities”.
At the heart of this work is the belief that entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for cultural connection and economic empowerment. First Nations youth often face barriers to entrepreneurship due to systemic underrepresentation, cultural disconnection, and geographic isolation. With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women making up only 0.2% of Australian business operators and less than 2% of the native agrifood sector, it is crucial to provide opportunities that not only preserve Traditional Knowledge but also create new pathways for participation in the economy.
First Nations communities face systemic disadvantages, including lower educational attainment, economic inequality, health disparities and geographic isolation, which limit access to opportunities. Addressing these barriers through targeted programs can help empower First Nations youth with the skills, confidence, and resources to overcome disadvantages and create pathways to economic independence and leadership.
Supporting First Nations Youth Through Entrepreneurship
The FNNFI program will support up to 160 First Nations youth in STEM and entrepreneurship, offering workshops on native food innovation and business, with support from local elders and experts. These workshops will take place in Brisbane, Queensland and Adelaide, South Australia and are designed for First Nations students across Years 7-12.
Each program includes a two-day school-based incursion and a two-day Youth Incubator for selected teams. A mixture of Indigenous business owners, industry professionals and academic mentors will support the students’ journeys.
This program is more than just a learning experience—it’s a stepping stone for First Nations students to explore entrepreneurship, gain confidence and connect with mentors who can help guide their future careers. By fostering collaboration between schools, universities, and Indigenous business leaders, we aim to create meaningful opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.
We can’t wait to see the impact this program will have on the next generation of First Nations entrepreneurs.
If you are a school in QLD or SA and are interested in participating, or in exploring Lighting the Spark or other First Nations programs, please submit an Expression of Interest HERE or get in touch with our team to learn more about Lighting the Spark by emailing hello@youngchangeagents.com
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