MORE than $3,000,000 in grants is now available to empower eligible agriculture-dependent communities to prepare for drought by building and maintaining their social resilience.
This is the second round of funding to be delivered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) through the Future Drought Fund’s (FDF) Communities Program, which is funded by the Australian Government.
Grants are available to local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) for projects that establish and grow community networks; increase local collaboration and engagement; share knowledge and develop leadership skills; or upgrade small-scale community infrastructure.
There are two grant elements offering funding for initiatives that strengthen social resilience and drought preparedness.
A total of $2 million in Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) Social Outcome Grants is available to bring to life the social resilience activities and projects already outlined in a region’s RDRP Plan.
A maximum of $100,000 is available to up to 50 RDRP regions over the life of the program, with 42 regions still eligible for some or all their allocated funding.
None of the local government areas (LGA) within the News Of The Area coverage area are currently eligible for this funding.
However, there is a further $1 million available in Small Network Grants of up to $50,000 to support agriculture-dependent communities within 314 LGAs, including Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, MidCoast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie Hastings and Port Stephens.
Jill Karena, Head of Granting at FRRR, said rural communities understand the value of investing early in social resilience because they know first-hand that drought is inevitable, even if there’s still rain on the horizon.
“While other parts of the FDF fund projects that benefit the environment or on-farm agricultural practice, through the Communities Program, we’re supporting grassroots initiatives that help people stay connected, build skills and strengthen the networks that underpin thriving communities,” Ms Karena said.
“Both the RDRP Social Outcome Grants and Small Network Grants are designed to help communities get on the front foot, by strengthening local networks, supporting training and leadership development, and encouraging collaboration.”
Both RDRP Social Outcome Grants and Small Network Grants programs are available to not-for-profit organisations that have an ABN or Incorporation Certificate and support remote, rural or regional communities in agriculture-dependent areas.
Applications for both RDRP Social Outcome Grants and Small Network Grants are currently open and close on 30 June at 5pm AEST.
Funding will be announced late October.
Learn more by visiting https://frrr.org.au/funding/fdf-communities/.
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