Young Regional & Rural Change Agents

Regional and rural young people face unique challenges. It’s vital to equip these youth across Australia with culturally appropriate mindsets, skillsets and toolsets to drive innovation and sustainability in their communities. Here are some examples of the work young people have been involved in this last 12 months.

SUPPORTING REGIONAL AND RURAL YOUTH

In 2023/24, Young Change Agents supported 204 regional, rural and remote schools across the country to introduce and embed entrepreneurial education into their schools and local communities.

Additionally, In 2023 we launched a new Teens in Business Awards Category especially for Regional & Rural Young People. We also welcomed 3 x young people from regional Australia onto our Youth Advisory Council.

RETHINKING PLASTICS AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY 

From August to November 2023 we delivered the Rethinking Plastics and the Circular Economy Challenge which supported 143 regional-based youth in the Northern Rivers region.

This initiative was a collaboration between YCA, Southern Cross University, Live Ideas, and the NSW Environment Protection Authority. The initiative included four 1-day design challenges hosted at four schools and a 1-day Youth Incubator (YINC) program.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR FUTURE GROWERS

The Entrepreneurship for Future Growers program funded by CBH Group helped youth see problems as opportunities at Nagle Catholic College, with twenty-three students and four educators taking part in the program over two days in April 2024.

Across the two days, students worked in teams of four to explore the program theme: 'How might we reimagine the Future of Food?' with a focus on Rural and Regional Food Growth and Production leading to the creation of six community-driven ideas.