The program will see $36 million in support delivered to regional communities over the next three years.
This investment builds on the Future Drought Fund’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative, Networks to Build Drought Resilience program and the Drought Resilience Leaders program.
The program will offer a mix of grants and capacity building activities, including leadership development, across the country.
The first two granting elements — Small Network Grants and the Regional Drought Resilience Plan Social Outcome Grants — are now open.
Planning is also under way for the Community Impact Program, which will kick off early next year.
Small Network Grants are available across 314 LGAs — with $3 million across three funding rounds (each up to $50,000 and $1 million available per round).
Funding can support locally-based not-for-profit organisations to undertake activities that strengthen professional, social or community networks; host community events; run training workshops; upgrade small-scale community infrastructure or facilitate professional, personal or leadership development.
The grants are specifically designed to help bring to life the social resilience activities and projects already outlined in an RDRP, from up to 50 eligible RDRP regions.
There is a maximum of $100,000 available per RDRP region over the life of the program.
In total, there will be $5 million available through this stream, with about $2 million available in the first round.
Both Small Network Grants and RDRP Social Outcome Grants programs are available to not-for-profit organisations with an ABN or Incorporation Certificate and support remote, rural, or regional communities in agriculture-dependent areas.
FRRR chief executive officer Natalie Egleton said it was important to recognise remote, rural, and regional communities already possess a strong foundation of resilience.
“Through our work with local leaders, we know communities want to be less reactive and do more to get on the front-foot ahead of the inevitable dry times,” Natalie said.
“The aim is for people to be better skilled, informed, connected, and resourced, so they can draw upon these strengths in times of drought.
“For community groups, this preparedness work will enable them to have greater capacity and access to the rights resources and support that their communities need, when they need them.”
In addition to grants for organisations, individuals in any agriculture-dependent community can apply to be part of a national mentoring initiative, delivered by ARLF.
ARLF chief executive officer Matt Linnegar said the mentoring initiative was just one part of the support offered through this program.
“At the ARLF, we know that the most powerful resource in any rural community is its people,” Matt said.
“This program is about bringing these people together — those who have weathered the worst of drought and those preparing for what is ahead — to share knowledge, support, and strength.”
For more information, visit: https://rural-leaders.org.au/national-mentoring-initiative/
The Future Drought Fund Communities Program will also offer the Community Impact Program, an integrated package of support for 12 regions, designed to strengthen the social capital, wellbeing and connectedness of communities to prepare for and build social resilience to drought.
Locally-based not-for-profit organisations within each region will work collaboratively with FRRR and a facilitator to design and agree upon a series of community driven projects or initiatives — all projects will be recorded in an agreed ‘Roadmap.’
To support implementation, each region can access:
- Grants awarded by FRRR: Grants of up to $150,000 each will fund projects identified in a community roadmap that strengthen community networks, capabilities and facilities that support increased drought preparedness. In total, $900,000 is available in each of the 12 regions.
- Leadership Activities delivered by ARLF: A series of complementary activities, chosen by local community organisations, designed to strengthen the leadership capabilities of communities to build individual and community drought resilience.
Over the next few months, FRRR and ARLF staff will meet with organisations and begin planning the engagement process, which will take place in community early next year.
Applications for grants to support the agreed initiatives will open in July next year.
To learn more about the program, visit https://frrr.org.au/funding/fdf-communities/
