2024 AAIC grant funding announced

Winners of the 2024 Active Australia Innovation Challenge were announced recently, with ten grant recipients each receiving up to $50,000 to make their project a reality.

The programs largely target behaviour change initiatives, complimenting built environment outcomes for more active lifestyles.

Among the successful projects, and of most relevance for Healthy Active by Design, were initiatives to get more people riding bikes – hopefully instilling lifelong habits that will translate to active transport. Among these are:

• Torres Strait Kaziw Meta’s (boarding house on Thursday Island) Pedal Power Project will provide 25 bikes, racks, helmets, and locks for organized riding sessions led by boarders and house parents
• The Cardiac Track at Mackenzie State Special School in Queensland is an innovative bike track tailored for children with disabilities, aimed at promoting physical activity among students aged 5-19
• Revolve ReCYCLING Foundation will establish bike libraries in remote communities in the Northern Territory, promoting "bike equity" by redistributing unused bikes to children in need. 

Ful details on each of the 2024 winners is available here.

About AAIC

The Active Australia Innovation Challenge is intended to support people who do not meet Australia’s Physical Activity Guidelines, are at risk of chronic disease and live in communities with high levels of physical inactivity, including rural and remote regions.

The 2024 AAIC projects were selected for their novel approaches to getting Aussies up and moving. Regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 35% and positively impact the health of people living in Australia across all ages and abilities.

Full details are available here, including information on past grant projects.

images courtesy of Revolve ReCYCLING