Community
27 June, 2024
Colour Fest cashes in on FRRR funding
LOCAL community groups have been named among those to benefit from a collaboration which has seen almost $125,000 in funding flow.
The Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) and Gardiner Foundation recently announced the winners under the Gardiner Foundation Community Grants program, which saw eight south west community groups receive more than $38,000.
The program has been ongoing for 22 years to empower not-for-profit organisations in Victoria’s dairy communities to create and lead projects which help locals to connect and support their farming regions to be sustainable and vibrant places to live and work.
Included in this year’s funding was a $4419 donation to A is for Atlas Limited to support Dining Room Tales X Keayang Maar 2024 (DRTxKYM)
The funding will help to build community resilience through delivering unique international artist experiences to enable rural communities’ access to global learning experiences for social resilience and enable tourism opportunity.
In addition, the Terang and District Progress Association received $5000 to fund activities at Colour Terang Festival 2024.
The funding aims to foster community vibrancy and social connection via free activities for children at the Terang Colour Festival to enable affordable participation for the whole community.
Program manager Jackie Zappelli congratulated the recipients.
“This project aims to not only revive a piece of local history, but also strengthen community bonds by creating a vibrant hub for social gatherings, educational workshops and economic opportunities with all profits going back into the enterprise and community,” she said.
Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron said the organisation’s longstanding partnership with FRRR had enabled it to invest more than $2.4 million in Victoria’s dairying regions over the years.
“The Community Grants Program aims to support purpose-driven, not-for-profit organisations in rural and regional Victoria by enhancing their capacity to serve their local communities effectively,” he said.
“Since the program began in 2003, we have supported over 600 projects across the state.
“These grants provide crucial financial support to community groups, helping them overcome challenges as they work to revitalise their communities.”
“We take pride in recognising the remarkable efforts of these groups within their communities, often carried out voluntarily, and in assisting them by funding projects that they believe will significantly enhance community resilience.”
FRRR place portfolio lead Jill Karena said the impact the Gardiner Foundation Community Grants program has had over the past 22 years was a testament to what is possible through collaboration.
“Not-for-profits work tirelessly to strengthen and grow the social and cultural fabric of their communities, but with current the economic landscape and climate-related transitions impacting Victoria, keeping these organisations up and running is becoming exceedingly difficult,” she said.
“It's not surprising that this year we saw a predominant need from community groups for funding to develop organisational resilience and capacity.
“Victoria’s dairy regions are resilient and resourceful, and we have seen, firsthand, the transformational change and outcomes that local people can achieve when they have access to funding.
“We are proud to play a small role in enabling these groups to drive change, build connections and share the vibrancy and determination of those living in Victoria’s dairying regions.”
A full list of grant recipients and funded projects can be found on FRRR’s website.
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