HEYWIRE is an initiative of ABC Radio through ABC Rural aimed at giving a voice to the issues and aspirations of regional/rural youth; raising awareness about these issues within the broader community; and providing a unique issues-based training opportunity for young community leaders from regional /rural areas.
Having established this ongoing event,[citation needed] in 1998 the ABC shifted the focus of its commitment to rural Australia to youth, and introduced Heywire.
The challenge was set by ABC Local Radio as a nationwide campaign to encourage people to experience what it is like to live with a limited amount of water.
Heywire exists to find out how the young people of rural and regional Australia think and react to their world.
It offers applicants a package that includes media, networking, and mentorship opportunities that allows them to share the story of their work.