Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
27 initiatives funded to enable change now and for the long-term
FRRR has awarded $685,242 in grants for 27 initiatives that will empower rural communities across Australia to adopt practices and solutions that reduce emissions and address the impacts of climate change. The projects will enable positive and sustainable environmental, social and economic outcomes.

Thanks to the support of FRRR’s donor partners, the Community Led Climate Solutions program (CLCS) offers grants via two streams, offering different grant funding. The program allows not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) to prioritise local needs and address factors affecting the community’s ability and capacity to adopt new ideas, adapt to a changing climate and take actions to mitigate the risks of climate change.
Organisations from every state and the NT will share $417,742 in grants via the Engage and Deliver stream. Initiatives funded through this stream promote or action practices and solutions that can reduce emissions and benefit their community’s ability to adapt to changes.
Through the Scaling stream, $267,500 has been awarded across four community groups to broaden the reach of locally-led initiatives that alleviate socio-economic challenges and enable communities to thrive.
Sarah Matthee, Climate Solutions Portfolio Lead at FRRR, said that the Community Led Climate Solutions program emphasises the importance of empowering local people to lead local climate solutions.
“Local NFPs and community organisations want to play a bigger role in creating sustainable and enduring climate solutions for their communities. This program responds to that need, which is why it continues to attract more and more applications.
“The intent is to empower and enable communities to lead change, by innovating and responding to local opportunities and challenges.
“The 27 projects funded showcase a diverse range of future-focussed, community-led climate solutions, including addressing energy supply, reuse and recycling, distributing knowledge and climate risk adaptation. This diversity reinforces the fact that each community’s experience of the social, economic and environmental impacts of a changing climate is unique.
“So too are the ways that communities want to respond to those circumstances. For example, more than half the projects funded in this round are designed to develop awareness, knowledge and skills. This perhaps also reflects that community groups are at different points in their journey – and each application reflected this,” Ms Matthee explained.
Larger grants to scale existing initiatives
FRRR recognises that NFPs in remote, rural and regional Australia can find it difficult to access funds for local initiatives that address climate change. In seeking to respond to organisations scaling their impact, FRRR also offered a small number of grants to support groups to scale long-term, future-focused solutions to address climate-related challenges.
“The four projects funded via the Scaling stream advance an existing, locally-led project to a more mature state, enhancing the capacity of the local community to take an active role in the mitigation or adaptation of climate change. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these initiatives have within their communities as they progress.
“Ultimately, we hope that the rural communities and organisations that are stepping up to roll out these initiatives will inspire and encourage other communities to take relevant action, engaging both business and philanthropy in local responses.”
FRRR is grateful to partner with a growing number of like-minded organisations including Boundless Earth, Hand Heart Pocket, Paul Ramsay Foundation and Elders Insurance, which is backed by the QBE Foundation.
FRRR and its donor partners are committed to funding community-led solutions that reduce emissions and address the impacts of climate change. 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.
Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STREAM 1 (<$20,000) | ||||||
NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
Adavale Lane Community Centre Incorporated | Install a Solar Battery Monitor to Reduce the Use of Generated Power and Carbon Emissions Enhance community organisation operations by installing a solar battery monitor, while also activating local education on climate solutions to reduce emissions and benefit community. | Goonumbla | $3,300 | |||
Boomerang Labs Limited on behalf of StartSomeGood | Good Hustle for Climate: Empowering Sustainable and Circular Economy Action in Regional NSW Build organisational capacity to adopt circular economy practices by hosting training workshops to create business plans for climate action initiatives. | Kempsey | $19,900 | |||
Community Power Agency Co-Operative Limited on behalf of Sustainable Living Armidale (Electrify Armidale for a Renewable Energy Future) | Armidale Community-Driven Shift to Renewable Energy and Sustainability Support community groups in developing clean energy projects by offering training on clean energy transition and fostering collaboration with experts in the field. | Armidale | $20,000 | |||
Growing Together South Coast Incorporated | FoodCycle: Nurturing Nature, Nourishing Neighbours Promote circular practice by setting up a worm-farm system to convert local food waste into soil conditioner, reducing landfill and supporting a small-scale, local food system. | Milton | $20,000 | |||
Hope Bathurst Incorporated | The Junktion Repair and Repurpose Café Develop the infrastructure to support the operations of the Junktion Cafe which recycles and resells used goods, thereby promoting circular economy practices. | Bathurst | $17,090 | |||
Mullumbimby Sustainability Education and Enterprise Development Incorporated | Northern Rivers Community-led Regenerative Food System Coalition- Regen Lab Develop local food systems in the Northern Rivers region to address food security risks related to climate change, disaster risks, and food miles, while supporting the transition to regenerative farming practices. | Mullumbimby | $20,000 | |||
NORTHERN TERRITORY | ||||||
Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia Limited | Northern Australia Environmental Leadership Intensive Build capacity in First Nations communities by informing and empowering local women with skills and networks that can contribute to community-led climate solution projects. | Noonamah | $20,000 | |||
QUEENSLAND | ||||||
Australian Youth Climate Coalition Limited | Switched on Schools Workshops Boost an organisation's capacity to build a movement of young people to lead climate solutions by supporting workshops in school. | Cairns | $20,000 | |||
Central Highlands Science Centre Inc | Outback Circular Economy: Transforming Plastic Waste into Educational and Economic Resources Foster an active interest in circular economy practices by installing a plastic recycling machine at the Central Highland's Science Centre, helping educate regional children on climate change solutions. | Emerald | $20,000 | |||
Darling Downs Environment Council Inc | Employment of a Part-Time Energy Transition Community Organiser Over One Year Educate and engage community members in southern inland regional Queensland on the transition to renewable energy to support informed decision making and awareness of opportunities. | Toowoomba | $20,000 | |||
Gympie & District Landcare Group Incorporated | Working for a Green Future in the Wide Bay/Burnett Region Build organisational capacity to drive education in climate solutions via supporting trainees to gain Conservation and Ecosystem Management qualifications to support Gympie Landcare ecosystem regeneration and biodiversity preservation required in the face of climate change in the Wide Bay-Burnett region. | Gympie | $17,080 | |||
Rainforest Rescue | The FRRR & Rainforest Rescue: 'Seeds of Change: Daintree Rainforest Restoration and Empowerment through Education' Project Restore ecosystem through revegetation and habitat restoration with educational community plantings involving local indigenous caretakers. | Daintree | $20,000 | |||
Rockhampton Regional Council | TAG Rockhampton Region: Building Climate Resilience Through Place-based Storytelling Engage the local community to take action on sustainable and climate resilience priorities by simulating future scenarios using current local climate data. | Rockhampton | $20,000 | |||
Sweltering Cities Ltd | Understanding Heatwave Disaster Impacts Through Scenario Workshops in Townsville Mitigate risk of climate change by engaging with local organisations to provide information, tools and resources that support local adaptation. | Townsville | $19,527 | |||
SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
Kangaroo Island Our Town Incorporated on behalf of Resilient Roots Grower Collective | Growing the Roots of Resilience Build community resilience through enabling local food production to increase food security and climate resilience for a Kangaroo Island community. | Gosse | $19,707 | |||
The Food Embassy Incorporated | Local Food Solutions For Climate Resilience Promote education on local food systems and their connection to climate change, while activating the local food system to address food insecurity, reduce food waste, and build resilience. | Strathalbyn | $18,688 | |||
TASMANIA | ||||||
Ten Days on the Island Limited | Time Rebel Inspire community climate action through a performance and market event educating and promoting climate change awareness and behavioural change for adaptation, decarbonisation and circular economies. | Burnie | $20,000 | |||
VICTORIA | ||||||
Bendigo Sustainability Group | Bendigo Sustainability Festival 2025 – Many Hands Engage and support young people to be active leaders in hosting the Bendigo Sustainability forum, developing their capacity to lead this climate solution work into the future. | Bendigo | $19,900 | |||
Committee for Ballarat Inc | The Ballarat Energy Network Support a regional community organisation to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment of a community-owned energy network, to provide a sustainable energy source. | Ballarat | $20,000 | |||
Goldfields Historical and Arts Society Incorporated | Solar Panels Project at the Dunolly Museum Enable a community group to continue their emission reduction activities and community education by installing solar panels on the community facility. | Dunolly | $3,500 | |||
Sandy Point Community Mens Shed Inc | Sustainable, Clean, Green Community Transport Sustain the operation of a community eBus service and facility by supporting an organisation's transition to a renewable energy future through the installation of solar panels and battery storage system. | Sandy Point | $19,050 | |||
WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
Dandaragan Community Centre Management Committee Incorporated | Solar Panels with Back Up Batteries for the Dandaragan Community Centre Support the clean energy transition of a community facility and the active promotion of solar and battery systems to their users. | Dandaragan | $20,000 | |||
Ngaarda Media Aboriginal Corporation | TV Documentary: "Climate Resilience: Regional Solutions" Drive First Nations education and engagement on climate change and the transition to renewable energy sources in remote Western Australia by developing a documentary with relatable climate solution stories. | Roebourne | $20,000 | |||
STREAM 2 ($20,001 - $75,000) | ||||||
NORTHERN TERRITORY | ||||||
Wilya Ajjul Janta Aboriginal Corporation | Tennant Creek Pilot 'Explain' Homes Harness traditional ecological knowledge, cultural practices, and climate resilience insights from First Nations communities to create sustainable and culturally appropriate housing solutions. | Tennant Creek | $75,000 | |||
QUEENSLAND | ||||||
Yuku Baja Muliku Landowner & Reserves Ltd | Monitoring Biocultural Indicators for a Changing Climate Enable Indigenous Rangers to establish baseline biocultural indicators for fauna and flora to support climate adaptation decision making to care for land and sea country. | Cooktown | $75,000 | |||
VICTORIA | ||||||
Mycelia Renewables Ltd | Scaling and Replicating the Mycelia Energy Collective Scale a collaborative initiative to enhance household and community preparedness to climate change and switch to renewable energy. | Venus Bay | $60,000 | |||
Yackatoon Retirement Village Inc | Protecting Energy for our Seniors Scale community resilience for local energy independence and ensuring housing support for the vulnerable and ageing, by equipping local facilities with solar and battery power supply. | Yackandandah | $57,500 |
By Sarah Matthee, Climate Solutions Lead
Reflecting on all the energy projects supported through our grants programs, it’s impressive to recognise that we’ve directly supported over 50 community groups to install solar and/or battery energy solutions, totalling almost $1.2M, in the last six years. That’s a lot of clean energy!

But if we dig into that, there’s some interesting motivating factors that leverage the impact of such clean energy installations and mean so much, to so many:
Lower operating costs
Solar installations are seen as great ways for community groups to lower their operating costs.
Of these 50+ grants, a third expressed financial motivations for their grant – with 14% indicating that their primary outcome was ‘improved financial security’, and 18% envisioning that it contributed to ‘stronger local economies’.
For example, the Hotspur Hall reported that the system already saved their Management Committee $200 in the first six months.
The Moree & District Historical Society tells us, “The savings which the Society is already enjoying with reduced power accounts will enable us to concentrate on further historical preservation projects. Without the grant funds the Society would not have been able to go ahead with the project as the huge cost would have been out of reach.”


Energy or telecommunications security
In the wake of disasters, such as the Black Summer bushfires where power was lost for prolonged periods, solar and battery installations have been sought after by organisations seeking to improve their energy or telecommunications security.
Forty-one percent of these grants indicated that their primary outcome was to improve community resilience, with 25% saying the grant would provide a greater ability to deal with and respond to community level challenges, and 16% saying the grant enables their community to innovate or respond to local opportunities or issues.
The Tarnagulla Fire Brigade’s solar panel and battery installation “gives us as a brigade a sense of comfort that our brigade facility preparedness means we will be able to function without disruption because of the backup power supply we have installed.”
Access to energy also underpins a functioning telecommunications system, with some communities seeking alternatives to ensure ongoing communication. A solar powered UHF CB repeater for the Mingoola community was identified as an important disaster preparedness initiative, “We have achieved stronger individual and community resilience through discussion and identification of our needs, especially during floods and other emergencies. Having the repeater station and the handheld CB radios has improved community connectivity and resilience. The supporting program of putting in place contingency plans for disaster preparedness in small groups, so they can support each other, not just as neighbors, but as a support network in need.”


Environmental health or sustainability
The environmental impact of clean energy is a motivator for some, but such considerations are usually bundled with the number of benefits such systems provide:
Only 2% of grantees indicated the primary outcome of their grant was to promote environmental health or sustainability.
The Manning River Aero Club shared a range of impacts with us, “I thought a 6kw solar system would be good, a 6kw solar system with a 13kw battery is unbelievable. The complete system has been installed for 40 days. In that time we have been self sufficient for 39 of those days… I am proud that we achieved what we set out to achieve that is reduce our costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Our latest electricity bill tells us our costs are down by 65% for the billing period. Incredible reduction considering we only had the solar connected for a third of the period….Our greenhouse emission reduced from 0.9 tonne to 0 tonne for the month of December 2021.”
Likewise, the multi-pronged benefits were important to Tomorrow Today Foundation in Benalla, “The solar installation and meter consolidation have been spectacularly successful. The total power bill for our two companies (community foundation and education foundation) for the twelve months to September 2021 was an 80% reduction in power costs! As well as impressive ongoing cost savings, we are proud to be taking positive action to benefit the environment.”
While these examples are focused solely on discrete solar and/or battery installations, we also wanted to highlight the work of many who are investigating or establishing larger clean energy projects and require support across their project lifecycle, or where the support that is needed is not so much the installation, but instead in scaffolding or acting as a backbone to convene conversations and networks.
For example, FRRR has made a grant to Original Power supporting the work of Ngardara Cooperative Ltd to establish their own solar microgrid (2.1MW solar array, 3.2MW battery), providing a clean energy source and saving an estimated 1ML of diesel per year. The grant contributed to governance and capacity development of community members so that they are supported to lead the development and operation of a utility-scale solar microgrid.

FRRR’s grants supporting the work of Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance have included engaging a coordinator who supported a number of not-for-profit organisations locally to investigate their best energy solutions, with the organisation undertaking a range of bulk buy or community solar installations.
It’s important that there are opportunities for organisations of all sizes, sectors and locations, to investigate and act upon the clean energy solutions that are right for their community.
Many local women in the Upper Yarra region experience socio-economic vulnerability and geographic isolation, making it harder to connect with resources and support. Cire Services sought to address this need at a community level, while also combatting a second major concern in the region: sustainability.

With a $20,000 grant from FRRR’s Community Led Climate Solutions program, Cire ran weekly upcycling and eco-fashion workshops in 2024. They were designed to help participants adopt sustainable practices and reduce landfill waste, all while building stronger social connections. The workshops built sewing skills that reimagined and repurposed donated clothing that isn’t fit for sale, but more than that, they offered a safe, inclusive space where women could connect, build confidence and learn new skills.
The project was grounded in Circular Economy principles and a joint effort between Cire’s Yarra Junction Community Hub and First Impressions Clothing Exchange (FICE) program, a collaborative, community-led approach to local issues.
Australia discards between 200,000 and 500,000 tonnes of textiles annually, much of which ends up in landfills, releasing harmful greenhouse gases. FICE alone received 3.5 tonnes of clothing donations last year, with approximately one tonne deemed unfit for resale and redirected to upcycling workshops or other charitable outlets. The project aimed to tackle this issue head-on, repurposing textiles and fostering a culture of sustainability and raising awareness about the environmental impact of waste.
The program also had tangible benefits that had a lasting impact in community. Participants gained:
- New Skills – learning upcycling and sewing techniques that could foster pathways to employment or small business opportunities.
- Improved Wellbeing – many participants report increased confidence, self-esteem, and overall mental health, with the safe, supportive environment helping to alleviate the risks of depression.
- Social Connection – women form bonds, share experiences, and support each other, strengthening ties within the local community.
- Soft Referrals to Support Services – participants who have experienced trauma, such as family violence, can access additional resources through subtle, supportive efforts.
By combining sustainability with compassion and social impact, Cire’s initiative addressed immediate local needs and also contributed to collective resilience and environmental health.
Gippsland Climate Change Network Incorporated’s (GCCNI) application to FRRR’s Community Led Climate Solution’s (CLCS) grant program highlighted the multi-faceted transition required in response to the planned closure of coal fired electricity plants in the Latrobe Valley, on Gunaikurnai land in Victoria. Organisations such as GCCNI see a range of potential benefits from the closure of coal-fired power plants.
The Network was established in 2007 to effectively co-ordinate community, institutional and business networking to advance renewable energy. Their work also alleviates community apprehension about job losses, while working to ensure a thriving local economy. Their core mission is well-aligned to one of the main objectives of the Community Led Climate Solutions (CLCS) program – to provide support to communities navigating a just transition towards a socially, environmentally and economically vibrant and sustainable future – where no one is left behind.
With the support of a $20,000 CLCS grant, the GCCNI Gippsland New Energy ‘PowerPops’ project was able to activate one of their identified initiatives on their just transition journey. This initiative developed informative and engaging material that will enhance community awareness and understanding of ‘new energy’ opportunities. They are providing independent information and guidance on how the local community can engage and direct the outcome of these proposals. These resources included VR headsets offering virtual tours of renewable energy industries (e.g. wind farms), a listing of job opportunities and links to businesses.
By providing targeted information and resources, the project seeks to empower individuals to actively participate and benefit from the transition to renewable energy.
The second part of the project is disseminating resources at ‘pop up’ workshops hosted at community markets, shopping centres and/or school training expo sites. The locations were chosen to help reach individuals who, historically, have not been engaged in sustainability / new initiatives. By taking these workshops to locations where they’re most likely to be, particularly younger people, they hope to inform them.

A recent progress shared with FRRR reported that the VR displays are proving engaging, allowing for informative 350-degree experiences from local and overseas developers. They’ve also purchased a VR mini-game / training tool titled ‘Day in the Life of an Offshore Wind Tech’, and hosted 10 successful sessions across the Latrobe Valley and wider Gippsland region. Feedback and awareness sessions have been organised with groups including Venturer Scouts, Wellington Youth Council, Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group, Environment Victoria’s Action Network, Uplift Youth, and Gunaikurnai Aboriginal Land & Water Corporation. The organisation has had several offshore wind proponents keen to extend the program.
There is strong interest in future awareness events across the Gippsland region, both demonstrating the effectiveness of a locally-led and impactful climate solution project.
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.

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/.

Community Action Inc (CAI) is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Gympie, QLD. It is a registered community housing provider with a mission to provide housing and support services in response to community needs. In partnership with Gympie and District Sustainability Alliance (GADSA), they received a $20,000 grant in Round 1 of the Community Led Climate Solutions (CLCS) program, funded by Hand Heart Pocket, for their Building Energy Efficiency Project (CAI BEEP). GADSA is a volunteer-led organisation committed to promoting sustainable communities through the use of technology to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
This project stood out due to its strong alignment to several grant criteria including reducing emissions, supporting a just transition, and educating and advocating for increasing energy efficiency practices in social housing. FRRR was also impressed by the letters of support accompanying the application, demonstrating close connections within the community.
The overall objective of CAI BEEP is to increase energy efficiency in two buildings: a duplex brick veneer structure used to accommodate survivors of domestic violence; and an older elevated timber dwelling, occupied by CAI’s Youth Services Office. The project identified a multifaceted solution that could be implemented in stages involving installing solar panels, batteries, ceiling insulation and modern reverse cycle air conditioning units.
The CLCS grant will fund their first priority – the solar panels, which are anticipated to significantly reduce use of electricity from the grid and save an estimated 30 tonnes of C02 emissions through the annual production of 37MWh of renewable energy. In addition to emissions reduction, the project will reduce electricity costs and enable additional spending on other social projects by CAI Inc – enabling the tenants of the buildings to also benefit from the transition to renewables. The energy cost savings are estimated to be $4,000 annually across both parties.
CAI Inc is first and foremost a social housing and support program provider, so their partnership with GADSA has been critical to developing and managing the project delivery, contributing their time and knowledge.
Among the first steps was assessing the duplex under the Building Energy Rating Scheme (BERS), which guided the work program. GADSA sourced quotes for all tasks and identified the trades necessary for each job.
GADSA believes every individual, household and business can make changes to reduce their climate impacts. To help them promote the use of renewables and building efficiency solutions, such as ceiling insulation, to other social housing providers to increase their emissions reduction and social justice impact, GADSA ultimately plans to document this project.
This project demonstrates the power of collaboration and the impact of highly-skilled and energised volunteers, leading to a locally-led and impactful, climate solution.
FRRR and Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) are pleased to announce a multi-year partnership to support Community Led Climate Solutions in remote, rural and regional communities experiencing disadvantage across Australia.

This support aims to address disadvantage, reduce the risks and impacts of climate change on community lives and livelihoods and enable community-led solutions. Funding will be distributed through FRRR’s Community Led Climate Solutions grant program.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, said that with rural communities disproportionately impacted by the impacts of climate change, it is vital that there is flexible funding to seed and strengthen the activities of not-for-profit organisations leading change in their communities.
“We know remote, rural and regional communities are already feeling the impacts of a changing climate and many are ready to respond – but what that looks like in their community will differ depending on their context. The support of Paul Ramsay Foundation is important to back the initiatives of locals who will act on climate solutions and make a difference in their community.
“With Paul Ramsay Foundation’s support, combined with generous support of organisations such as Boundless Earth and Hand Heart Pocket Foundation, we are looking forward to continuing to provide this valuable support annually through a dedicated grants and support program.”
Liz Yeo, Chief Alliances Officer at Paul Ramsay Foundation, said, “At PRF, we recognise that communities themselves bring great strengths and ideas about how best to tackle the challenges they face. We’re pleased to be joining with FRRR to support remote, rural and regional communities to develop local solutions to the impact of climate change and socioeconomic disadvantage.”
Round 2 of Community Led Climate Solutions will open mid-July 2024. Subscribe to FRRR’s eNews to receive a monthly update about the grants and opportunities on offer.
The wetlands leading to the Kiewa and Murray Rivers will soon be healthier, thanks to Parklands Albury Wodonga’s ‘Restoring Bonegilla’s blue carbon sink wetlands and waterways’ project.

The restoration of wetland plants in floodplain channels and wetlands on these floodplains will capture carbon, slow water runoff and clean the water before it enters major waterways. This will improve water quality, while the restoration of these wetlands will close gaps in current native vegetation corridors, enabling native animals to travel and thereby adapt to the changing climate. The vegetation will also take up atmospheric carbon dioxide, storing it in biomass and sediments.
The project is aligned to decarbonisation and climate adaptation, with strong evidence of community-led development and strong engagement with local Indigenous Elders, disability services and volunteers at the Native Garden Nursery that the group operates.
Since 1997, with the support of more than 3,000 people each year, PAW has been restoring lands degraded by grazing and, more recently a housing development, improving and maintaining the network of bush parks connecting urban and rural communities in the border regions.
A volunteer Committee of Management works closely with the ranger staff to plan and implement rehabilitation, restoration and enhancement of bushlands and parkways for environmental management and recreation.
Volunteers at the nursery have been propagating suitable wetland species from hotter, drier places, which will mean biodiversity resilience as they are planting for a future hotter, drier climate. This well-planned adaptation and restoration project, which received a $16,060 a Community Led Climate Solutions grant, will deliver decarbonisation outcomes and engage the community in planting and developing skills and knowledge for climate solutions activity.
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.

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.
Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
Container of Dreams Ltd | Container 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 Inc | Regenerative 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 Climate | The 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 Ltd | Ngardara 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 Ltd | Power 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 Ltd | Water 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 Alliance | Community 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 Queensland | Arkai (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 Inc | Climate 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 Inc | Leading 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 Trust | Roots 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 Inc | Crafting 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 Inc | Gippsland 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 Inc | Exploring 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 Ltd | Restoring 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 GreenLabs | Lardner 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 |
Grants up to $20,000 available for community-led initiatives
Remote, rural and regional not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) seeking to implement practices and solutions that reduce the impact of the changing climate can now apply for grants up to $20,000 through FRRR’s new Community Led Climate Solutions program (CLCS).

The grants can fund community-driven projects that educate and engage local people to reduce emissions, adopt clean energy practices, low carbon power sources, and embrace reuse and regenerative practices. Funding can also support solutions that deliver sustainable agriculture and food systems, biodiverse ecosystems, or activities designed to maintain the livelihoods of people reliant on industries in transition.
Sarah Matthee, General Manager, Partnerships & Services at FRRR, said many rural communities are eager to capitalise on cleaner and more sustainable climate solutions but often have limited access to funding or simply don’t have the capacity to investigate options.
“By offering flexible funding that is focused on community-led climate solutions, we want to enable NFPs to develop local solutions that respond to and mitigate the impacts of a changing climate in a way that is meaningful and responsive to the needs their community.
“Thanks to generous seed funding from Boundless Earth and Hand Heart Pocket, there is more than $300,000 available across the coming rounds of the Community Led Climate Solutions program. Our donor partners are committed to funding community-led solutions that reduce emissions and address the impacts of climate change and we are pleased to be working with them to fund local initiatives that will help drive positive and sustainable environmental, social and economic outcomes for rural Australia. We welcome further contributions to this collaborative pool to grow the impact that can be generated across rural Australia.
“In terms of examples of what the program can fund, there are several initiatives that FRRR has previously supported, which we think could inspire other communities. For example, Augusta Margaret River Clean Community Energy Incorporated received funding to undertake a dairy waste energy study, ahead of planning for an aggregated biogas and renewable power grid-connected facility. We’ve also funded free informative workshops on energy efficiency and renewable energy in small Victorian towns.
“You may have had a climate solutions project in mind for a long time but haven’t known where to go for support. We encourage people to think outside the box, reflecting on what your community needs most, to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” Ms Matthee said.
Applications for the Community Led Climate Solutions program close Thursday, 30 November 2023 at 5 pm AEDT. More information can be found at frrr.org.au/community-led-climate-solutions/.