First round applications have opened for a share of $4.5 million on offer under the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program.
The program will support the community organisations, networks and infrastructure that help people and communities prepare for, and live through, times of drought.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program was part of the government's forward-thinking $5 billion Future Drought Fund, with program partner the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) also bringing $1.125 million in philanthropic funding to the program.
"Strong rural and regional networks are critical for the drought resilience of Australian agriculture-dependent communities," Minister Littleproud said.
That's why our Drought Resilience Funding Plan has social resilience as one of its three guiding objectives.
"It is the community leaders, mentors, local organisations and networks in farming communities that drive change and offer the support when needed."
The Networks to Build Drought Resilience program will be delivered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, with grant applications opening today.
"FRRR's networks and experience will help us to ensure the investment is well targeted and effective, and bring in philanthropic co-funding," Minister Littleproud said.
FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton said local community networks are the foundation of resilient communities.
"Through this program we're helping to invest in the future of agriculture-dependent regions by enabling them to prepare now for periods of ongoing dryness," Ms Egleton said.
"A key element of this program will be to build stronger networks, and to encourage greater sharing of learnings and more collaboration within and across networks."
This is the first of two funding rounds, with a second to open later in 2021.
Interested organisations are encouraged to apply directly to FRRR by visiting frrr.org.au/networks
