$29.6M Initiative strengthens social resilience across rural Australia
FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) and ARLF (Australian Rural Leadership Foundation) are pleased to release the final evaluation of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative (HRCPDI) – a $29.65 million program funded by the Australian Government through the Future Drought Fund (FDF).
Undertaken by Nous Group, the evaluation reveals that the investment has significantly strengthened social resilience and drought preparedness in agriculture-dependent communities nationwide, through locally-led projects, leadership development and inclusive engagement.
Delivered between 2023 and 2025, the Initiative supported hundreds of community-led projects and reached thousands of participants across 35 regions identified as highly sensitive to drought impacts. It also funded small network grants, mentoring programs and created national platforms for shared learning and expert advice.
FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton said the report findings confirm that social capital is critical to building drought resilience.
“Communities know best what they need to prepare for drought. This Initiative demonstrates that when we invest in local leadership and social networks, we foster strength and adaptability that goes beyond drought,” Ms Egleton said.
An in-depth two-and-a-half-year evaluation found that the flexibility of the program, coupled with a targeted focus on engaging often underrepresented groups, led to an impressive boost in resilience across the country.
The report highlights that communities are now more connected, collaborative and confident in their ability to adapt. It found that the Initiative shifted mindsets and developed networks and leadership capacity on a local level.
Matt Linnegar, CE of ARLF, said leadership development was a cornerstone of the Initiative’s success.
“Leadership and collaboration are at the heart of resilience. By empowering individuals and organisations, we’ve seen communities transform their approach to an unpredictable climatic future,” Mr Linnegar said.
FRRR and ARLF have also released an Impact Insights report, drawing on the Nous evaluation, as well as their experiences in delivering the Initiative. Key recommendations for future programs are included in that report, including maintaining flexible, place-based co-design approaches; embedding leadership development into resilience frameworks; and continuing investment in social networks and organisational capacity.
“Participating communities have shown they feel more capable and connected, have developed stronger foundations to address future challenges together. The impact from this Initiative has confirmed the value of investing in social resilience as part of building drought preparedness,” Ms Egleton said.
Access the full report, watch a few short videos, read some case studies and watch back the webinar where results were shared on the FDF HRCPDI Insights Hub.