Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

Up to $625,000 available thanks to growing number of supporters, including Elders Insurance

Funding is now available for remote, rural and regional communities seeking to embrace practices and solutions that reduce emissions and address the impacts of climate change for positive and sustainable environmental, social and economic outcomes.

Man standing in front of a desk talking to people who are sitting down. His shirt says "High Spirits, Level Seas - Surfers for Climate"
Surfers for Climate were awarded a grant in round 1 of CLCS to engage and educate tradespeople who surf in sustainable and circular building practices through local workshops in coastal NSW.

FRRR’s Community Led Climate Solutions program (CLCS) is offering grants to not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) via two streams, with a total funding pool of $625,000 available for initiatives that address climate change at a local level.

  • Stream 1 – Engage and Deliver: Grants up to $20,000 for local projects promoting or actioning practices and solutions that can reduce emissions and benefit their community; and
  • Stream 2 – Scaling: Grants from $20,001 to $75,000 for projects scaling locally-led initiatives, that alleviate socio-economic challenges and enable communities to thrive.

The Scaling stream is new this round and recognises that community organisations in remote, rural and regional Australia can find it challenging to access funds for local climate solutions initiatives, when their focus is often on alleviating disadvantage in their community. That’s why FRRR, with the support of its partners, is pleased to offer grants to strengthen and scale up existing projects.

Grants can be used by communities to educate locals and adopt clean energy practices; reduce emissions; implement low carbon power sources; embrace reuse and regenerative practices; support solutions that deliver sustainable agriculture and food systems; encourage biodiverse ecosystems; or activities designed to manage change and support the livelihoods of people reliant on industries in transition.

Sarah Matthee, Climate Solutions Portfolio Lead at FRRR, said the strong response from local groups to the first round of the program emphasised the active role that rural communities want to play in initiatives that capitalise on cleaner and more sustainable climate solutions that will benefit local people.

“Addressing the impacts of a changing climate requires a long-term outlook, backed by local solutions. We know that rural NFPs are eager to get on the front foot and ensure that no one is left behind. Local people can be best placed to lead just transitions and we are here to actively support rural communities in this process,” Ms Matthee explained.

“We are grateful to partner with a growing number of like-minded organisations including Boundless Earth, Hand Heart Pocket, Paul Ramsay Foundation and most recently Elders Insurance backed by the QBE Foundation. Like FRRR, these organisations are committed to funding community-led solutions that reduce emissions and address the impacts of climate change across remote, rural and regional Australia.

Dale Gleeson, General Manager at Elders Insurance, said that Elders Insurance, backed by QBE and the QBE Foundation, is proud to support the creation of strong, resilient, and inclusive communities.

“As one of Australia’s largest regional and rural insurance providers, we are delighted to be joining with FRRR on this critical role of supporting community-led climate solutions activities across remote, rural, and regional Australia,” Mr Gleeson stated.

The grants can fund community-driven projects that educate and engage local people on the transition to renewable energy, like the Gippsland Climate Change Network Inc’s ‘New Energy Power Pops’ project, which received a $20,000 grant in the first round of CLCS. The funding supported community education targeting young people at local markets and events in Traralgon, Victoria, including using virtual reality to inform people about the renewable energy transition industry in the Latrobe region and to promote employment and skills training opportunities.

The funding can also be used for projects that reduce emissions, like the Gympie and District Sustainability Alliance’s Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) in Queensland. Community Action Inc. on behalf of the Alliance, was awarded a $20,000 grant to support solar installation and energy efficient infrastructure upgrades for their tenants. The purpose of the upgrades was to reduce emissions and provide equitable access to renewable energy cost benefits, with a further goal of promoting solar and battery systems to other housing providers.

An online Grantseeker Workshop, including a Q&A session on the Community Led Climate Solutions grant program, will be held on Tuesday, 13 August 2024, from 12:30 – 1:30 pm AEST. Register at https://events.humanitix.com/community-led-climate-solutions-round-2-grantseeker-webinar

Applications for the Community Led Climate Solutions are now open.

For the Scaling Grants ($20,001 – $75,000), an expression of interest (EOI) needs to be lodged by 5pm AEST, 22 August, with shortlisted applicants notified by 4 September. Applications for both streams close 5pm AEST, 26 September. To learn more and apply, visit: https://frrr.org.au/community-led-climate-solutions/.

Nearly $280,000 supports 16 initiatives across Australia

FRRR has awarded $278,693 in grants for projects that will help remote, rural and regional communities decarbonise, adapt to a changing climate, and mitigate the risks of global warming.

Ngardara Cooperative Ltd will use their Community Led Climate Solutions grant to establish their own solar microgrid.

The 16 community-driven projects are the first through FRRR’s Community Led Climate Solutions program, thanks to support from Boundless Earth and Hand Heart Pocket.

Grants include $14,957 to support regenerative farming practice for soil health and emissions reductions in Macleay, NSW; $20,000 to build energy efficiency for social housing in Gympie, QLD; $20,000 to provide information and links to employment pathways through pop-up events in Gippsland, VIC; and $20,000 to enable a local Indigenous community in NT to build their capacity in order to establish their own solar microgrid and reduce reliance on diesel-powered electricity.

Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s General Manager – Partnerships & Services, said that the applications reflected the diversity of community organisations in Australia, the variety of climate solutions underway across rural communities, and the breadth of opportunities available to enable local groups to take action.

“The requests we received reinforce the fact that these communities are being impacted socially, economically and environmentally by increasing temperatures and extreme weather events. These communities are aware and concerned about the impacts of a changing climate, and these projects demonstrate their ambition to engage locals in conversations about their region’s future, and lead their community in taking action to reduce emissions.

“People living in remote, rural and regional communities have the knowledge and ideas to implement solutions that can help to decarbonise, mitigate climate risks, and adapt in a changed climate environment. But they need a hand to take action.

“With the support of Boundless Earth and Hand Heart Pocket, we’ve been able to fund 16 place-based, community-led climate solutions projects, which we hope will influence and deliver change for social, environmental and economic community benefit across remote, rural and regional Australia,” Ms Matthee said.

Organisations awarded Community Led Climate Solutions grants, and their funded projects, include:

  • Original Power Ltd with Ngardara Cooperative Ltd – Borroloola, NT – Support a local, Indigenous community to establish their own solar microgrid, providing them with a sustainable energy source and reducing their reliance on diesel-powered electricity – $20,000
  • Surfers for Climate – Byron Bay, NSW – Engage and educate tradespeople who surf in sustainable and circular building practices through local workshops in coastal NSW – $20,000
  • Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland Inc – Yeppoon, QLD – Drive education and engagement on climate change and the transition to renewable energy sources in Central Queensland by screening a documentary and presenting an experienced panel including local and national representation – $3,905
  • Cire Services Incorporated – Yarra Junction, VIC – Promote circularity practice with reuse and repurpose workshops that will reduce landfill and develop skills that enable sustainable practices – $20,000

FRRR and its donor partners are committed to funding community-led solutions that reduce emissions and address the impacts of climate change. Community-led solutions help drive positive and sustainable environmental, social and economic outcomes for remote, rural and regional Australia. FRRR welcomes further contributions to this collaborative pool of funds to grow the impact that can be generated across remote, rural and regional Australia. For more information, please visit https://frrr.org.au/giving/.

The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
NEW SOUTH WALES
Container of Dreams LtdContainer of Dreams Battery Storage and Charging Station
Build community capacity to reduce emissions through a communal solar battery charging station to decrease reliance on fossil fuel generators.
Drake$20,000
Macleay Landcare Network IncRegenerative Farming Soils in the Macleay Project
Build organisational capacity to engage and support landowners’ adoption of regenerative agriculture practice through workshops and volunteer training.
Kempsey$14,957
Surfers for ClimateThe Trade Up by Surfers for Climate
Engage and educate tradespeople who surf in sustainable and circular building practices through local workshops in coastal NSW.
Byron Bay$20,000
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Original Power Ltd on behalf of Ngardara Cooperative LtdNgardara Community Solar Microgrid - Community Clean Energy and Climate Solutions Capacity Development
Support a local, Indigenous community to establish their own solar microgrid, providing them with a sustainable energy source and reducing their reliance on diesel-powered electricity.
Borroloola$20,000
QUEENSLAND
350.Org LtdPower Up Masig
Develop the community engagement and prefeasibility model for a just transition to community-owned renewable energy supply in Torres Strait Island, Masig.
Masig Island$20,000
Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers LtdWater Wise Gardens - Revolutionising School Landscapes With Low Water Solutions
Build capability in schools vulnerable to climate change impacts on water to sustain gardens that can scaffold community food systems and enable this learning through school curriculum development and training.
Gympie$19,786
Community Action Inc on behalf of Gympie and District Sustainability AllianceCommunity Action Inc Building Energy Efficiency Project (CAI Beep)
Support clean energy transition for social housing and community organisation tenants to enable cost efficiency and promote solar and battery systems to other providers.
Gympie$20,000
Community Enterprise QueenslandArkai (Kubin) Community Garden
Activate locally led opportunities to advance Moa Island Community sustainability and resilience to climate change with a community garden cultivating produce.
Moa Island$18,525
Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland IncClimate Changers Screening and Discussion Panel
Drive education and engagement on climate change and the transition to renewable energy sources in Central Queensland by screening a documentary and presenting an experienced panel including local and national representation.
Yeppoon$3,905
Mount Morgan Citizen's Club IncLeading the Way - Solar Power for the Soldiers' Rooms
Enhance community organisation operations with solar panels that are a catalyst for activating local education and engagement on climate solutions to reduce emissions and benefit community.
Mount Morgan$18,000
The Trustee for Abriculture Advancement TrustRoots of Sustainability: Cultivating Indigenous Leadership through Aquaponics and Permaculture
Develop capability in regenerative farming and aquaponics in Indigenous agriculture for food systems adapting to climate change.
Cairns$20,000
VICTORIA
Cire Services IncCrafting Environmental and Social Benefits Through Cire FICE's Upcycling / Eco Fashion Workshops
Promote circularity practice with reuse and repurpose workshops that will reduce landfill and develop skills that enable sustainable practices.
Yarra Junction$20,000
Gippsland Climate Change Network IncGippsland New Energy 'PowerPops'
Educate and engage community members in the Latrobe Valley on the transition to renewable energy to support informed decision making and awareness of employment and skills training opportunities.
Traralgon$20,000
Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups IncExploring Electric Vehicles with Kiewa Catchment Landcare and Kilowatt Cars
Educate the Kiewa Valley community on the benefits of electric vehicle (EV) transportation and encourage their transition to owning an EV, and actively participating in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Mount Beauty$7,460
Parklands Albury Wodonga LtdRestoring Bonegilla's Blue Carbon Sink Wetlands and Waterways
Restore ecosystem through seed propagation, revegetation and habitat restoration with educational community plantings advised by local Indigenous caretakers.
Bonegilla$16,060
The Gippsland Field Days on behalf of GreenLabsLardner Park Waste to Energy Pilot Project
Develop and pilot a biohub for food organics and garden organics diversion to produce bioenergy which can reduce emissions and develop circular economy practice in Gippsland.
Lardner$20,000