Regional communities across Australia will share in $3.1 million for 60 projects that will help prepare for drought under the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund Networks to Build Drought Resilience program.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said the 60 grants announced today were awarded across Australia and range from $10,000 to $150,000 to support community projects to build local drought resilience.
"The program focuses on local initiatives to enable agricultural communities in regional Australia to better prepare and stay strong through drought," Minister Littleproud said.
"Building drought resilience on a local level benefits the entire Australian agriculture sector. The stronger individual communities are, the more robust our industry becomes as a result."
Some of the round two projects include:
- In South Australia, small improvements to the Marama Community Hall which is a meeting place to foster community connectedness and for community support during difficult times, including drought.
- In Queensland wellbeing and mental health workshops to rural businesses to provide training, skills and strategies to support the community to prepare for and during times of drought.
- In Western Australia, Outback Academy Australia Limited will run regional events and a national on-line event to connect Indigenous farming communities so that they can share best practice methods and techniques to manage drought and the changing climate.
- In Victoria, the Wimmera Rural Table Gathering will bring rural women together to discuss the impacts of drought and a changing climate for the region, which includes a panel discussion with industry experts to understand the challenges and how community members can develop skills and strategies.
"These are just a few of the projects underway to boost community connectedness and help local communities better prepare for drought," Minister Littleproud said.
Through this second round of the Networks to Build Resilience program, $5.2 million in value will delivered on ground to help prepare for drought. The $5.2 million is made up of $2.3 million from the Future Drought Fund, $0.8 million in funding raised by FRRR and $2.1 million in cash and in-kind co-investment from grantees.
The program is being delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). For a full list of the recipients and their projects visit: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/networks-build-drought-resilience
Fast Facts:
- The Networks to Build Drought Resilience is a program under the Australian Government's $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
- The Future Drought Fund provides a secure, continuous funding of $100 million per year for drought resilience initiatives.
- Through the Networks to Build Resilience program, the Australian Government's investment, together with funding raised through the program delivery partner- FRRR - and cash and in-kind support from project grantees, will see $5.2 million in value delivered on ground.
- FRRR is a non-profit organisation focused on building the local networks and capabilities that underpin vibrant and resilient rural and regional communities.
