The second round of applications have opened for the federal government's Networks to Build Drought Resilience program.
There is $2.9 million available to support community organisations, networks and infrastructure for people and communities to prepare for drought.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program was a key part of the Australian government's forward-thinking $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
"When Australian agriculture thrives, we all thrive," he said.
"This program will increase the presence, reach and effectiveness of community networks, with a focus on boosting community collaboration.
"This will help us all better prepare for future droughts.
"This is part of a total investment of $19.2 million to 2023-24 in leadership, mentoring, community capacity building and small community infrastructure to help build drought resilience, supporting farmers and their communities."
Grants can support a wide range of initiatives including events, projects, activities, training and small-scale infrastructure that will strengthen community engagement, networking and preparedness for drought. In this second round, FRRR is particularly keen to hear from groups seeking between $20,000 and $50,000, although there are other tiers of funding available.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program is being delivered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), with grant applications opened this week.
Interested organisations and individuals are encouraged to apply directly to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal before November 15.
FRRR chief executive officer Natalie Egleton said the Future Drought Fund's Networks to Build Drought Resilience program focused on supporting locally-led drought initiatives that build and strengthen connections in agricultural communities that are vulnerable to drought.
"Each community faces its own unique set of stressors and challenges, and is starting from a different place when it comes to building drought resilience," she said.
"That's why this program funds projects that local communities have identified will help their community better prepare for the future impacts of climate change.
"In some places, that's initiatives like strengthening young-farmer or women in agriculture networks, and for others it might be about building knowledge of soils or better understanding the latest tools and technologies around climate and seasonable variability.
"Yet in other places, the emphasis might need to be on wellbeing and building mental resilience.
"We're particularly keen to see proactive initiatives that bring communities together, to create and strengthen social networks to engage in meaningful collaboration.
"This is a critical part of making sure remote, rural and regional communities can thrive in the future."
A grantseeker workshop will be held online on October 5 at 10,30am and 6.30pm SA time, for those who would like to learn more about the program and the application process. Register for this at events.humanitix.com/networks-to-build-drought-resilience.
Applications close November 15, with funds announced late February and activities to be completed by August 29, 2022.
- Details: Apply at frrr.org.au/networks or for more information visit agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/networks-build-drought-resilience
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