Funding now available, further planning underway
FRRR and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) are pleased to announce the launch of the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program, funded by the Australian Government.
The Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program will continue to empower people in agriculture-dependent communities across remote, rural, and regional Australia to prepare for drought by building and maintaining their social resilience.
As the Honourable Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) announced earlier this year, the program will see $36 million in support delivered to regional communities over the next three years.
This 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. In total, there are three grant elements, each available to specific Local Government Areas (LGAs), as well as National Mentoring and additional capacity building activities.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s Chief Executive Officer, said that it is important to recognise that 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. It can also impact the ability of community organisations to support people and provide services during challenging times,” Ms Egleton said.
“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. That is why the Communities Program is driven from the ground up.
“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. 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,” Ms Egleton said.
Matt Linnegar, ARLF’s Chief Executive Officer, said that the Mentoring Initiative is just one part of the support that will be offered through this program.
“At the ARLF, we know that the most powerful resource in any rural community is its people. This program is about bringing these people together—those who have weathered the worst of drought and those preparing for what is ahead—to share knowledge, support, and strength,” Mr Linnegar said.
“This program is not just about creating a one size fits all solution to prepare for the next dry season. As an organisation with deep roots across regional and rural Australia, we understand that what works for one community may not be suitable for another. The program is about empowering local leaders to find those local solutions that are appropriate for their region. We will work with local leaders, on the ground and online, creating opportunities for people to listen, learn and lead resilience building efforts no matter which part of rural Australia they live.
“It is about more than drought. It is about building the kind of leadership that lasts – grounded in community, shaped by experience and ready for the future. We are proud to support a national initiative that puts people at the centre of resilience, because that’s where real change begins,” Mr Linnegar explained.
The first two granting elements – Small Network Grants and the Regional Drought Resilience Plan Social Outcome Grants – open on 5 November. Planning is also underway for the Community Impact Program, which will kick off in early 2026.
Small Network Grants
Small Network Grants are available in 314 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 that strengthen professional, social or community networks; host community events; run training workshops; upgrade small-scale community infrastructure or facilitate professional, personal or leadership development.
Learn more about which LGAs are eligible and what can be funded at FDF Communities Small Network Grants Program.
Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) Social Outcome Grants
These 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. Like Small Network Grants, the funding can support locally based not-for-profit organisations to undertake projects that strengthen community networks; host community events; run training workshops; upgrade small-scale community infrastructure or facilitate professional, personal or leadership development. 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 that have an ABN or Incorporation Certificate and support remote, rural, or regional communities in agriculture-dependent areas.
National Mentoring Initiative
In addition to grants for organisations, individuals in any agriculture-dependent community can apply to be part of a National Mentoring Initiative, delivered by ARLF.
As part of the Initiative, people will be paired to share experiences, perspectives, and knowledge in a supportive virtual environment, with 12 sessions offered over 12 months.
Anyone interested can learn more and express their interest in being involved by going to: https://rural-leaders.org.au/national-mentoring-initiative/.
Planning starting for Community Impact Program in 12 regions
The Future Drought Fund Communities Program will also offer another stream – the Community Impact Program, an integrated package of support for 12 regions, designed to strengthen the social capital, wellbeing and connectedness of communities to prepare for and build social resilience to drought. Locally-based not-for-profit organisations within each region will work collaboratively with FRRR and a facilitator to design and agree upon a series of community driven projects or initiatives that will help the local community to be better prepared for drought into the future. All projects will be recorded in an agreed ‘Roadmap.’ To support implementation, each region can access:
- Grants awarded by FRRR: Grants of up to $150,000 each will fund projects identified in a community roadmap that strengthen community networks, capabilities and facilities that support increased drought preparedness. In total $900,000 is available in each of the 12 regions.
- Leadership Activities delivered by ARLF: A series of complementary activities, chosen by local community organisations, designed to strengthen the leadership capabilities of communities to build individual and community drought resilience.
Over the next few months, FRRR and ARLF staff will meet with organisations in each region and begin planning the engagement process, which will take place in community early next year. Applications for grants to support the agreed initiatives will open in July 2026.
As part of the Community Impact Program, there will also be funding for one local organisation to act as the Region Coordinator, convening the network of funded organisations, facilitating collaboration, and acting as a key point of contact for the delivery partners.
Learn more about the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program by visiting https://frrr.org.au/funding/fdf-communities/.