Following the success of the inaugural HORIZON Program in Western Australia's Pilbara region, applications are now open for the expanded 2025 program, which will support 44 women across regional areas in Western Australia and Queensland.

The HORIZON Program, delivered by First Nations X, Atomic Sky, and Project Play Up – Leadership for Women, provides culturally safe leadership development and entrepreneurship training through a combination of in-person workshops, coaching and mentoring, plus online seminars specifically designed for Indigenous female leaders living and working in regional areas.

The 2025 program will include 2-day intensive workshops in four regional centres:

Western Australia: Kalgoorlie: 15-16 September, and Karratha: 18-19 September 2025.

Queensland: Mackay: 13-14 October, and Mackay / Isaac Region: 20-21 October 2025.

Each location will support up to 11 women, with the program valued at $8,500 per participant and offered free of charge to selected applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.

The program will be led by experienced Aboriginal leaders and expert coaches.

Jahna Cedar, a Nyiyaparli woman who co-facilitates the West Australian program, has spent over 25 years advocating for Indigenous rights;including representing Australia at the United Nations three times. She sees HORIZON as addressing a critical gap.

"Regional Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander women face unique challenges," Ms Cedar said.

"They're dealing with isolation, limited childcare options, fewer professional development opportunities, and cultural responsibilities that mainstream programs don't often accommodate. HORIZON was designed specifically with these realities in mind."

Ms Cedar, Co-Chair of First Nations X and Principal of Jahna Cedar Consulting, emphasised the program's co-designed approach.

"We didn't just create something and hope it would work. We went out to the regions, sat with the women there, and asked: What do you need? How should this look? That's why it works," she said.

Alana Kennedy, a proud Waanyi Kalkatungu woman, knows firsthand the power of Indigenous innovation.

As founder of Ochre Sun Group, she's built a business around native Indigenous botanicals whilst serving as Australian Vice-Chair of the International Indigenous Trade and Investment Organisation.

"Indigenous businesses are 100 times more likely to employ other Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander people," Ms Kennedy said.

"But for women in regional areas, the pathway to business and leadership can seem impossible. HORIZON creates that pathway."

Ms Kennedy will bring her entrepreneurial experience to the regional Queensland intensive workshops, covering everything from personal branding to raising capital.

"It's not just about teaching business skills," she said.

"It's about helping women see the leader and entrepreneur that's already within them."

The 2024 pilot program achieved "outstanding" results, with 36 women applying and 31 women ultimately supported through the HORIZON program. Participants represented 22 different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups, demonstrating the program's cultural reach.

100 per cent of participants said they'd created new networks through attending.

Kylah Morrison, who leads the program alongside First Nations X and Atomic Sky, noted: "One participant said it 'empowered me to be confident in my leadership journey and believe in myself'."

"That's exactly what we set out to achieve," Ms Morrison said.

"We had women telling us things like 'The HORIZON Program was an amazing opportunity to learn new techniques in my leadership journey. It was a safe, empowering space'."

Other participants from the 2024 program shared their experience.

Cherralee Clark, a Noongar and Wongi woman who is a Clinical Nurse at WACHS Pilbara, described it as a "deadly program".

"I feel empowered to continue my self-development and to bring out my inner confidence," she said.

Lauren Greatorex, a Malgana, Nyikina and Jabir Jabir woman who is an Artist and Cultural Educator as well as a Board Director of Reigonal Arts WA, said the "possibilities that were discussed in the Program, in the conversations we were having, were just mind blowing".

"I didn't think there was ever a place at the table for Aboriginal women to be involved in those conversations. That really inspired me," she said.

Sarah Hicks, proud Ngarluma woman and National Parks Ranger at Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, said HORIZON is "a very good program that brings you out of your shell and builds up confidence in your own abilities".

Stars Foundation mentor Khaila Ricks said the Program was "very worthwhile and I've taken away so many skills and tools, awesome to have women supporting women".

University of Melbourne modelling used in the recent 'The Sleeping Giant Rises' published by Supply Nation estimates that in 2021 an estimated 13,693 Indigenous businesses generated more than $16 billion worth of revenue and employed almost 117,000 people (Evans et al., 2024); a figure expected to continue to grow.

HORIZON aims to support this growth by "building capabilities where they're needed most".

"Regional women are often the backbone of their communities," Ms Cedar noted.

"When we invest in their leadership and business skills, the impact spreads well beyond the individual, strengthening the whole community."

Ms Kennedy said the program goes beyond economics.

"It's about self-determination. It's about Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander women having the tools and confidence to shape their own futures, on their own terms," she said.

HORIZON's organisers said the program features co-design with Traditional Owners and local women to ensure cultural safety and relevance for each region; strengths-based learning; expert network access; and comprehensive support.

The program has a focus on leadership development, communication skills, personal branding, entrepreneurial thinking, implementing innovation, and raising money to fund ideas

The HORIZON Program welcomes applications from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Australian South Sea Islander women living and working in regional areas, as well as women working for organisations empowering Indigenous women in the regions.

Ms Morrison is clear about who will thrive in the program.

"We're looking for women with a fire (or even just a spark) in their belly—whether that's starting a business, growing in their career, or making a bigger impact in their community. If you're ready to invest in yourself and support other women on the same journey, the HORIZON program is for you," she said.

More information and how to apply is available online at www.firstnationsx.io/horizon.