In this episode, we chat with Bevis Masson-Leach, a music producer and youth workshop facilitator who used a Backing the Future grant to run transformative music workshops for young people in regional New South Wales.

Bevis’s mission wasn’t to just create music, but to use song writing as a vehicle for the participants to express themselves in a safe space. Collaborating with local artists in Armidale, Moree, Nambucca Valley, and Newcastle, Bevis ran four three-day workshops where young people not only explored their creativity through music but in many instances built confidence and friendships that they wouldn’t otherwise have found.

As he says, “a little bit of positive reinforcement can go a long way”, especially when working with young people from challenging backgrounds. He also shares some excellent tips for anyone applying for further funding, and how creating content during workshops can be used for future applications to showcase what impact has been made and help you stand out from the crowd.

At the end of this conversation, you’ll hear a little of one of the songs created during the Armidale workshop - In the Streets, with vocals from young musician YK.

Learn more about Bevis’ work at papertoymusic.com

🎧 Listen in and discover how music can spark positive change and empower young people.

If you loved this episode, we’d love it if you shared it with a friend so they can hear the insights too!

For more about the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, head to vfff.org.au.

In this episode, we chat with Cal Champagne, founder of Grow the Future Bega, a social enterprise on a mission to create meaningful opportunities for young people through regenerative farming.

Cal received his Backing the Future grant in November 2022 after moving back home to the Bega Valley, and chats with Emilia about his early beginnings in the Illawarra and how the BTF grant was a seed starter for more funding which has enabled the enterprise to work with 176 young people over the past 12 months, employed 34 people, and put 26 through their vocational training program.

He also shares insights around challenges with disengagement, working on the land (that flooded twice in seven months!) and how sometimes you don’t need to “scale up” to keep having impact in a community.

Learn more about Callum’s work: growthefuture.com.au

🎧 Ready for some inspiration? Tune in to explore the power of social innovation, youth empowerment, and sustainable farming. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation!

If you loved this episode, we’d love it if you shared it with a friend so they can hear the insights too!

For more about the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, head to vfff.org.au.

In this episode, we chat with Rizina Yadav, founder of Young Women’s Alliance about her experience receiving a Backing the Future grant.

Rizina shares her remarkable journey from growing up in regional Australia to studying at Stanford University, and her deep passion for creating social impact.

With the grant, Rizina created a nationally representative research study on young women aged 18-28 through 300 long-form interviews, a national gender survey with 3000 respondents, 77 expert consultations, and a literature review of 800 academic articles, all the while engaging 17 young women from across Australia to assist with the research.

This work resulted in two reports - 'Young Minds, Old Biases: The Gender-Based Violence Crisis' and the 'Young Women's Policy Submission' which were submitted to state and federal parliament.

Rizina reflects on her initial youthful naivety and idealism, to the importance of careful planning for success, as well as why sometimes you need a plan B, C, D, and even E. She shares insights on what it was like to work influencing and informing government policy, and interacting with senior politicians and government departments.

Rizina also offers valuable advice for grant applicants and explores the critical role philanthropy plays in the research and policy space in a non-partisan manner.

Learn more about Rizina’s work: rizinayadav.com and youngwomensallianceaus.com

🎧 Join us for an insightful discussion about the intersection of youth advocacy, social change, and the transformative power of philanthropy!

If you loved this episode, we’d love it if you shared it with a friend so they can hear the insights too!

For more about the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, head to vfff.org.au.