Community
7 November, 2025
FRRR grants program set to open
FOUNDATION for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) have recently announced the launch of the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program, funded by the Australian Government.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins announced earlier this year the program will see $36 million in support delivered to regional communities over the next three years.
The 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 – opened on Wednesday, November 5.
Small Network Grants are available in 314 local government areas (LGAs) to develop and deliver local events or initiatives to strengthen the social capital, wellbeing, and connectedness of communities to prepare for and build social resilience to drought.
In total, there will be $3 million available for Small Network Grants, each up to $50,000, with around $1 million available per round.
Funding can support locally-based not-for-profit organisations to undertake activities which strengthen professional, social or community networks, host community events, run training workshops, upgrade small-scale community infrastructure or facilitate professional, personal or leadership development.
Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) Social Outcome Grants are specifically designed to help bring to life the social resilience activities and projects already outlined in an RDRP, in 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 around $2 million available in the first round.
Both Small Network Grants and RDRP Social Outcome Grants programs are available to not-for-profit organisations which have an Australian Business Number (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, shaped by their experiences with drought and other disasters.
“People in agricultural regions know better than anyone that drought is inevitable – and often isolating,” she said.
“It can also impact the ability of community organisations to support people and provide services during challenging times.
“Through our work with local leaders, we know that communities want to be less reactive and do more to get on the front-foot ahead of the inevitable dry times.
“Some of the key ways to do this are by building community networks, increasing collaboration, sharing skills and knowledge, or improving community infrastructure, which will look different in every community.”
Ms Egleton said the focus on community was a key component of the grants program.
“The aim is for people to be better skilled, informed, connected and resourced, so that they can draw upon these strengths in times of drought,” she said.
“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.”
For more information, visit frrr.org.au/funding/fdf-communities/.
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