- First round grants announced for Future Drought Fund’s Networks to Build Drought Resilience program
- $1.4 million investment for 33 grants awarded across Australia
- The program builds the skills and capacity of people and communities and delivers small-scale infrastructure
Regional communities in Eden-Monaro will share $16,700 to help them better prepare for drought under the Future Drought Fund’s Networks to Build Drought Resilience program.
The grants announced today will support community projects to build local drought resilience.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said the program focuses on local initiatives to enable agricultural communities to be better prepared for the impacts of drought.
“Building drought resilience here in Eden-Monaro benefits the entire Australian agriculture sector. The stronger individual communities are, the more robust our industry becomes as a result,” Minister Littleproud said.
Senator for New South Wales Jim Molan said the Monaro Seasonal Outlooks project in Eden-Monaro would boost community connectedness and help local communities better prepare for drought.
“Monaro Farming Systems CMC Incorporated received $16,700 to host a Field Day that includes a seasonal outlook presentation to improve drought preparedness and result in improved coordination and collaboration between social networks and build knowledge and understanding of risks posed by drought and climate change, Senator Molan said.
The Networks to Build Drought Resilience program is part of an Australian Government investment of $19.2 million in leadership, mentoring, community capacity building and small community infrastructure to help build drought resilience.
Interested organisations are encouraged to apply directly for the second grant round to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. Applications are open until 15 November 2021.
For more information on the Future Drought Fund and the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/networks-build-drought-resilience
Fast Facts:
- Eligible organisations can apply directly for the second grant round with FRRR for projects that encourage connectedness in agricultural communities or improve the skills and capacity of network members.
- It is a key program under the $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
- Through the Networks to Build Resilience program, the Australian Government’s investment of $3.375m, together with a $1.125m contribution from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal will enable $4.5 million to be available for on-ground community capacity building projects in these two funding rounds, the second of which is currently underway.