GRANTS SET TO FLOW TO COMMUNITY GROUPS IN DROUGHT-AFFECTED REGIONS

THE Liberal and Nationals’ Government has provided $15 million toward the Regional Drought Communities Small Grants Program to support regional communities across Australia experiencing the devastating effects of the current drought.

Releasing the guidelines today, this funding delivers on the Government’s commitment to provide immediate support to regional communities currently enduring prolonged drought.

For many months now, the Government has been on the ground listening to how best to assist communities – tough and resilient as they are – to pull through these difficult times.

The distribution of the $15 million grant will be managed by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

Through the Tackling Tough Times Together program, the Foundation will operate a rolling small grants program to support drought affected regional communities. The Foundation will distribute the grants quickly across all States and Territories to regions impacted by drought.

Today’s announcement builds on the more than $1.8 billion in additional Liberal and Nationals’ Government drought support measures already delivered.

Small grants will be available to not-for-profit community groups to deliver projects in drought-affected regions focusing on reducing social isolation, leadership development and skills training, social and educational participation, addressing disadvantage caused by the drought, reducing volunteer fatigue, building capacity and supporting local economic recovery or renewal.

This funding will support community-based activities to relieve current stressors and symptoms while also building capacity and resilience for the future.

The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal is a non-government organisation based in Bendigo, Victoria, that harnesses the collective investment of governments, business and other donor organisations to support regional communities. 

For almost two decades, the Foundation has played a significant role in helping regional and rural communities across Australia prepare for, respond and manage, emergencies and disasters.

The Foundation will roadshow the Regional Drought Communities Small Grants Program through grant seeker workshops, regional meetings and discussions with community groups.

The first round of applications for community grants will be open from tomorrow. 

Further information on the program and grant opportunities may be found on the Foundation’s website at www.frrr.org.au/grants/tackling_tough_times_together or by visiting the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities website at www.infrastructure.gov.au.