The Eyre Peninsula covers approximately 8% of South Australia. The region is deeply connected to agriculture and its broadacre, rain-fed farms support nearly 12% of local jobs. Unfortunately, the region is extremely vulnerable to drought and when dry spells hit, it affects the whole community. According to ABARES, Wudinna on the central Eyre Peninsula is second on the national table of places most sensitive to drought.

For young farmers stepping into management and leadership roles, the need for stronger networks and skills to navigate these challenges has become increasingly clear. With no experience facing drought first-hand as decision makers, they need guidance to safeguard their communities against its impacts. Recognising this need, Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula Incorporated (AIR EP) launched the ‘Young Farmers – Peer 2 Peer’ project, designed to empower the region’s next generation of agricultural leaders.

With a $60,000 Community Impact Program grant, funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund under the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative, this project is more than a training session – it’s an investment in the future. Created specifically for farmers aged 18-35, the project fosters innovative discussions around local leadership, drought preparedness, and community sustainability. Through shared experiences, participants are building the kind of social support and professional networks that help rural communities face future challenges together.

Four field events form the backbone of the project, bringing young farmers from the drought-sensitive towns of Cleve and Ceduna into a dynamic learning environment. The gatherings feature guest speakers who not only teach agricultural techniques, but cover essential business, social and risk-management skills. The goal is simple: to help farmers mitigate drought’s impact on their businesses, families and communities.

The first two sessions have already sparked transformation. At the first session, the farmers came together and selected a leader, before joining a hands-on workshop led by Soil Functioning Consultant Mel Fraser. Fifteen young farmers and a graduate agronomist delved into sustainable soil management practices and drought resilience techniques. These early interactions have already proven invaluable, fostering stronger communication and collaboration. The new network has already attracted young farmers to other agricultural events where, traditionally, their age group has been underrepresented.

As rural Australia faces increasing food security challenges, it is vital that agricultural communities like the Eyre Peninsula not only endure but thrive, attracting skilled workers and their families. By strengthening the connections, knowledge and skillset of future leaders in the industry, this project is an investment in the next generation of farmers and the communities they call home.

While our agricultural workers grow the food and fibre for our nation, we’re proud to help them grow as individuals, empowering the people who go on to create vibrant, resilient, and sustainable communities in remote, rural and regional Australia.

FRRR and ARLF (Australian Rural Leadership Foundation) are pleased to release the mid-term evaluation report for the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative (HRCPDI) – a $29.65 million initiative funded by the Australian Government through the Future Drought Fund (FDF).

Prepared by Nous Group, the report confirms good progress is being made towards strengthening community capacity and the social resilience of agriculture-dependent communities to prepare for the impacts of drought.

According to Nous Group’s interim evaluation, the combination of the five streams of the Initiative, which include grants, leadership development activities, including mentoring, an online network and access to expert advice, are beginning to build community capacity and resilience to the impacts of climate change and drought in more than 250 locations across Australia.

The FDF HRCPDI is being delivered jointly by FRRR and ARLF. Activities in the 16 months to April 2024 included:

Among the findings is that the HRCPDI’s design, flexible implementation and a strong commitment to continuous learning and quality program delivery have supported success so far. The report has found that the design of the Initiative acknowledges that there is no one size fits all approach and provides communities the flexibility to implement or access diverse activities. These activities include events to strengthen social connection and counter isolation, delivering training that upskills the community so they can thrive before, during and after drought, building community infrastructure that enables communities to meet and interact, investing in local leadership, delivering mentoring programs or expanding the base of volunteers in a community or region.

The evaluators consistently heard from stakeholders how critical it is to invest in social resilience before drought arrives. As one stakeholder explained, “By preparing our community prior to a drought event happening, we are able to practice strength and resilience…which will act as a preventative measure.”

Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, welcomed the findings that the Initiative is on track to contribute to stronger, more resilient and empowered communities.

“We are only part-way through delivering the Initiative, but it’s encouraging to have the evaluation confirm that we are heading in the right direction.

“The report confirms that focusing on building local community capacity and resilience to drought is important. As Nous’ evaluation notes, the more capacity and resilience there is in a community, the more likely it is that a community will successfully respond to the many impacts that drought can have on regional landscapes, communities and economies.

“The report also notes that the Initiative is helping to strengthen the protective factors that insulate a community from the worst impacts of drought. There was some nice feedback too, from community groups, alongside suggestions for what it will take to keep the Initiative on track and how we can refine our approach for any similar programs in future.

“We look forward to sharing the final report at the end of next year,” Ms O’Brien explained.

ARLF’s Partnerships Director Philippa Woodhill, also welcomed the report, noting that there is still a long way to go in the Initiative.

“Our focus is increasing leadership skills within communities and creating networks, so communities have people ready to step up when they need to support one another through the next inevitable drought.

“The positive effects of the mentoring program are already being seen, with people expanding and diversifying their networks. There are still plenty of leadership activities happening across the 35 regions and we are excited about their future impact. The Drought Ready National Learning Network is really taking off too, with people sharing knowledge and nurturing connections. As Nous wrote, it’s starting to act as the connective tissue between the other elements of the program.

“We look forward to taking the lessons from this interim evaluation and working together to boost the social resilience of agriculture dependent communities.”

You can read the full report online and watch a summary of the report in this short video.

By Nina O’Brien, Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead

I get it. Drought is bloody hard. I have been there many times over the course of my life. It is not really a happy place to emotionally revisit when times eventually come good is it?

You’re trudging across water depleted landscapes, managing hungry stock that are worth stuff all; fronting up to off farm work we may not love; trying to keep the kids protected from the worst of it; mentally propping up people around us; trying to contribute to the communities where we live, because someone’s always doing it worse than you are; and generally trying to keep things rolling, you just focus on the turn of the weather cycle. You just need to get through it. And then one day, it rains, and recovery starts, and life goes back to ‘normal.

Without reflection, however, I think we miss an opportunity to learn.

Like many things in life, drought is a mixed blessing, and while hard, it is also a valuable opportunity to imagine community life in a way perhaps not considered before and, along with a solid dose of radical acceptance, enables communities or regions to evolve in a way that was not possible before.

If we take a moment to breathe and to ’go back there,’ I am convinced there is a deep richness and positivity in the learning, growth, change and genuine resilience (like, in the actual proper use of that term, not the overused buzzword) that emerges from the disruption that drought causes in community and personal life.

This month has marked a really important milestone at FRRR, one where we have been doing some of that reflection.

After eight sustained years of work, we have just released our insights and learnings from the Tackling Tough Times Together, our long running grant program that supported communities to respond to the community level changes of drought, and the slow recovery period that follows. So, alongside reflecting on what $18.6 million worth of in-drought community investment in 681 projects across eight years really means – yes, 681 different community level responses to drought conditions across Australia – this theme of growth and renewal through disruption continues to surface, over and over again.

From Buloke in Victoria, to Orroroo in the mid north of SA, or the far west of NSW; communities responded to drought in hugely divergent ways, but growth and renewal have been the central theme.

We all recognise by now that Australia’s landscapes are no stranger to the harsh realities of drought. For remote, rural, and regional communities, these dry spells are more than just weather patterns—they are profound challenges that impact every facet of life. The drought’s effects ripple through the economy, the environment and, most importantly, the social fabric of the communities where we choose to live.

Beginning in 2014, FRRR’s TTTT program offered support to local not-for-profit organisations in these drought-impacted areas to help these communities not just survive but thrive through these tough times. And what a journey it has been…

Through it all, bringing people together during difficult times was absolutely critical. As FRRR’s CEO Natalie Egleton eloquently put it way back in 2017,

“Social cohesion is literally the glue that binds these communities. When adversity strikes, it can easily be reprioritised, especially if it is costly or does not respond to the local context.”

That comment perfectly encapsulates the heart of the TTTT program’s purpose: maintaining social connection and support during immense challenges, in a way that is relevant and accessible, and ideally led by local people and communities.

TTTT was not just about immediate relief – it was, and remains, about creating long-term, sustainable change in places where, often, many other funders do not reach.

A Brief History of the TTTT Program

The TTTT program was born out of necessity in 2014 when FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) and Tim Fairfax Family Foundation recognised the pressing need to support community groups in Queensland and northern NSW facing severe drought conditions. The initial focus was on fostering social cohesion, leadership development and skill-building within these communities. With generous contributions from philanthropic donors, including The Yulgilbar Foundation the program launched with ten rounds of funding.

As the drought’s reach expanded beyond Queensland and northern NSW in 2018, the program evolved. The Australian Government stepped in with a substantial commitment of $15 million over five years. This expansion shifted the program’s focus to address issues such as volunteer fatigue, building the capacity and capability of not-for-profits, educational participation for young people, and economic recovery or renewal.

By the time of its final round in May 2022, TTTT had awarded $18.6 million through 681 grants. These grants were crucial in mitigating the extreme impacts of drought and supporting community vitality right across remote, rural and regional Australia. The program has provided a lifeline to outer regional, remote, and very remote communities (where 84% of the overall investment was directed), and in total benefiting nearly 570,000 people across 329 postcodes.

Impact and Outcomes

In short; the TTTT investment has proven its ability to boost human and social capital. Locally based not-for-profits have used these funds to foster confidence, creativity and positivity. These elements are vital in enhancing community quality of life and instilling hope for the future.

Over the past two years, FRRR staff, and our partners at JAW Communications and Nance Haxton (The Wandering Journo) have embarked upon the ambitious task of reviewing the final project reports, crunching the metrics, and capturing community insights through videos, case studies, and podcasts.

All are a testament to the program’s effectiveness.

As important, are the stories of impact.

As Gill, a volunteer from the Better in Blackall Festival, (QLD) noted:

After seven years of relentless drought, the community around Blackall in central western Queensland was struggling. As long-time local Gill Russell remembers,

“It was not just us. (the drought) It was very regional, it was statewide. The pastoral and agricultural industry had been brought to its knees. Everyone emotionally and physically was very drained. Because unfortunately if it is dry and the agricultural industry is having a hard time, that also comes across into the community, the town, the shops,” Gill explains. So, what else to do but start a celebration festival showcasing what the region had to offer. Gill is now the President of the Better in Blackall Festival, which brings together locals from near and far for cabaret, concerts and billy kart races. Starting the festival was an important turning point and Gill says it would not have got off the ground without FRRR’s support.”

Indirectly, the program’s support for infrastructure projects has also strengthened the conditions for long-term community vitality. Investments in practical upgrades and infrastructure have proven critical, especially for small communities with limited fundraising abilities. Safe, welcoming spaces for people to gather have been essential in maintaining the connections that underpin social cohesion and support.

According to Jan Ferguson OAM, Secretary of the Beltana Progress Association, thanks to investment in people and infrastructure, the historic town has become known as a much-loved place for musos to perform on the Festival of Small Halls Folk Circuit. Originally built in 1879, the Beltana Hall is believed to be the oldest galvanised iron hall still in use in Australia. Townspeople patiently spent six years renovating the Hall, with FRRR funding enabling them to remove 20 tonnes of rubble from the cellar. This became a gallery displaying 250 Flinders Ranges paintings bequeathed to the Association, now a popular tourist attraction.

“A lot of drought funding in the past has gone to the agricultural industry, whereas this time there was actually space for communities to join, and that was really, really valuable,” Jan says.

“We did a new strategic plan for the town and the hall was one of the fundamental parts of that, that we needed a good meeting place. The drought funding enabled us to do the social things that were really important in restoring the hall, but it also kept our tradies going. That is essential because if you do not maintain the vibrancy of your community, then it gets really tough.”

She says the funding also brought unexpected benefits. “Since we did all of this, the road into the town’s been sealed by the government. So, the whole profile of the town has changed as we have demonstrated we can do things – and we are doing things.”

The TTTT funding also enabled them to establish a new bore water supply, which in turn led to more tourists as caravaners could stay.

Key Insights and Findings

Overall, The TTTT program’s impact is evident in several key outcomes:

• 39% of the funding enhanced community wellbeing and identity.
• 36% supported environmental health and sustainability.
• 33% focused on building individual and community resilience.
• 32% contributed to more engaged communities.
• 23% bolstered local economies.

The feedback from more than 600 grant recipients highlights the necessity of long-term investment in social and human capital during drought periods. This investment helps offset the challenges posed by drought and supports communities throughout the entire cycle of adversity.

One crucial finding is the importance of resourcing locally based not-for-profit organisations. It might seem obvious, but these organisations play a pivotal role during droughts, and strengthening their capacity has profound community wide impacts. It promotes confidence, creativity, and positivity, leading to improved quality of life and hope for the future.

Additionally, supporting community-driven economic stimulation and diversification has shown to pay dividends well beyond the drought. Stronger local economies lead to more socially participative and engaged communities, enhancing both financial security and community cohesion.

Investment in social and professional networks is equally critical. The TTTT program has been instrumental in strengthening these networks, which are essential for both current drought resilience and future preparedness.

Philanthropic Funding: A Powerful Catalyst

Philanthropic funding has proven to be a powerful activator. Initially backed by philanthropic capital, the TTTT program addressed funding gaps for drought-affected communities and demonstrated a successful model of support. As the program’s effectiveness became evident, other partners joined in, further amplifying its reach and impact.

Today, the TTTT program remains a unique and vital mechanism in Australia’s funding landscape. Its ability to support remote, rural, and regional communities over time, with a depth and ease of accessibility that other funding sources often lack, underscores its significance.

As we look back on the journey of the TTTT program, it is clear that the path to resilience and recovery is paved with community spirit, support and solidarity. The program has not only provided immediate relief but has also fostered long-term growth and sustainability in some of Australia’s most challenging environmental conditions.

This is best demonstrated through projects like Moorambilla Voices. When townships were wondering how they could survive during a decade of drought, Moorambilla Voices – a musical ensemble comprising children from primary age through to high school – was exposed to and created world class arts programs, giving hope when there was little left.

Through TTTT funding, three Mentor positions were funded to support Moorambilla Voices over three years. Annie Berrell acted as Ensemble Manager for 18 years. She says the sense of purpose and joy at a time of such extreme hardship was important not only for the children taking part, but for the parents and carers, extended families and wider community as well.

Founder and artistic director Michelle Leonard said, “Instead of feeling that they have missed out because they grew up in a regional or remote area, they actually realise that they’ve had this enormous advantage and that ability to see things from a variety of perspectives and the interconnectedness of a community stands you in such great stead.” Many of the songs that Moorambilla Voices sing feature Indigenous languages, something Michelle describes as “the beating heart of what we do.”

Moorambilla Voices is now so successful some of its programs are now woven into the New South Wales curriculum and the high school choir performed at the Sydney Opera House last year.

So many stories, and just so much deep impact.

In closing, a word of thanks…

It is important to note that I stand in a circle of strong, and very capable women here at FRRR who have worked very diligently within the TTTT program over the last eight years, and this award is testament to their work, commitment and deep belief in the importance of this work.

Here is to the continued strength, resilience and growth through disruption in our communities, and to the incredible work of organisations and individuals who make a difference every day.

Please take a moment to:

• Read the full Impact Report
• Listen to the series of 10 podcasts
• Watch the series of 10 videos

FRRR’s CEO, Natalie Egleton, recently spoke at the Social Impact in the Regions Conference. Before participating in a panel discussion that was focussed on addressing challenges in remote, rural and regional Australia, Natalie delivered a brief presentation. The following are her speech notes.

All too often, regional communities are only visible to the rest of the country and to policymakers through a lens of crisis, disadvantage, or as somewhere from which resources needed by others can be extracted.

From the hundreds of community grants and conversations we have at FRRR, we know that is not the narrative regional communities want to focus on. The challenges are definitely there; regional communities live them every day. But what would happen if we flipped the narrative to one where regions are understood, invested in and valued for their intrinsic value – their innovation, intelligence, creativity and contribution to their own and the nation’s wellbeing and economies?

The possibilities are remarkable when we do this. I’m going to share three case studies of communities and organisations that FRRR has partnered with over multiple years as they navigated these very questions. I’m not telling their story on their behalf but sharing what we noticed throughout our funding partnerships with them. They stand out but are by no means the only such organisations and communities. And a hint – there are some common themes about the different types and roles of backbone organisations; the capacity for challenges to catalyse innovation; and why place-based change takes time – sometimes generations.

Red Ridge Interior Queensland

Red Ridge Interior is in Blackall – almost the centre of Queensland. They are an arts organisation at their heart and evolved into so much more during the drought that crippled much of western Queensland in the mid 2000’s until very recently. Their model is one of collaboration that supports outcomes like intergenerational connection, First Nations economic self-determination, women’s health and wellbeing, and leadership development.

The first grant we awarded was just $2,500 to help them build a better business model. We have since supported many of their initiatives. Over the years, as they’ve grown in confidence – and people have built confidence in them –they’ve blown it out of the park.

Red Ridge described themselves as an auspice for local projects – but I would argue that they have played a backbone role for western Queensland.

In remote communities like Blackall, there are fewer services, small, dispersed populations, and narrow economies. They need organisations that can play integrated and multifaceted roles across population groups, industries and join dots in policy and funding systems to make them work for their local context.

One of their activities is the now annual Channel Country Ladies Day – an event with the tagline ‘inspiration in isolation’. It brings together women from across the channel country, right down into Birdsville and further north to Longreach and surrounds.

It was an idea born during the drought, when the load that women were carrying – caring for family, finding ways to generate off-farm income, managing the farm business – was noticed, alongside the fact that they weren’t caring for themselves. This is not any ordinary event; it brings together hundreds of women for reprieve, wellbeing support, fun and skill development. It also builds economic opportunity by creating space for micro-enterprises, and enterprise development. It’s a space for hard conversations and care for people doing hard work.

As the drought’s impacts deepened, Red Ridge saw an opportunity to play a role in ‘finding beauty in the drought’ and created the Dress the Central West event. They partnered with Central West Hospital and Health Service (CWHHS) and Central West Aboriginal Corporation (CWAC) to create the fashion parade of the year, Dress the Central West. Teaming with Fashion designer Claudia Williams from Llani Creative, each outfit represented the history and traditions of the four communities involved in the project – Winton, Blackall, Longreach and Barcaldine.

The event tapped into layers of talent in the community and gave people who were often excluded from opportunities a platform to shine. With support from a fashion designer, communities designed several outfits that best represented their towns, stories and culture in the adversity of drought, using recycled or found material.

The work that Red Ridge and the communities of the Central West faced – and still face – include big challenges, but they have found ways to create energy from within communities to co-create new stories and futures.

Red Earth Community Foundation

Red Earth Community Foundation is one of about 40 place-based philanthropic foundations in Australia – a network that is growing and evolving dynamic community-owned models of generating and redistributing capital in their local communities. Red Earth covers the North and South Burnett and Cherbourg communities in Queensland.

FRRR has partnered with Red Earth since it was a seed of an idea, through many grants and strategic partnerships. It’s a leading model of community mobilisation and transformation from the ground up.

Like many innovations, a crisis was the catalyst for the formation of Red Earth Community Foundation, following a major flood event in 2014. Conversations among a few key people were about what the Burnett needed in 100 years’ time – it was a different vision and one that held a new narrative about its challenges. This was in a context of the Burnett describing the region as the hole in the doughnut – the region that had high needs and one of the highest rates of socio-economic disadvantage in the country. They saw investment flowing everywhere but the Burnett Inland.

Funding to support flood recovery occurred around the same time as funding to support setting up good governance for the emerging Foundation. The latter involved much consultation and education about what a community foundation structure might bring to the Burnett.

There was a space to shift – they could continue blaming and being victims of poor systems, or they could mobilise and create something else. So, they set out on a different path to most community foundations – instead of starting with money, they started with people and developed a community leadership program. More than 200 people have now graduated from the program and are activating opportunities across the region.

In just a decade, Red Earth has become a vital backbone for the region – they are a trusted convenor of community voice and action. Beyond the leadership program, they are facilitating major drought resilience and disaster preparedness initiatives, and brokering opportunities for community benefit from renewable energy projects.

FRRR and Red Earth are currently partnering on the Disaster Resilient: Future Ready program, which is supporting community co-design of disaster resilience across the small towns in the Burnett Inland region. The teams were together at the recent AIDR conference to showcase the work and learnings.

Red Earth’s is a story of people power and a collective decision to adopt an opportunity mindset.

Toolangi

The final example is not of a single organisation but rather a small community – population just 335 – in an area affected by Black Saturday bushfires in 2009; it’s about an hour and a half north east of Melbourne.

In this tiny village, the Community House is the hub and provides a central point of connection and information. It is mostly volunteer run, with a tiny amount of funding for operations and programming. When the fires impacted the town, the Community House was the central organisation for recovery efforts. They had to step up and play a far more complex role in rebuilding the town and people’s lives.

The Community House brought together the ideas and needs of the town and went about gradually planning and actioning – with small amounts of funding as they went. Of course they couldn’t do it all at once. And as such a small town and organisation, nor could they accept too much support all at once. So, FRRR worked alongside them, supporting the community when they were ready and as needs evolved and people were able to do some of the actual implementation.

The focus was on long-term recovery, regeneration, over weeks and months. Support was given in different places, at different times. The support via the Community House similarly took different forms, and as needs evolved, investment went with them. Some of the projects supported by FRRR included strategic thinking about how to approach recovery; a focus on wellbeing; the need to create a place where health and fitness – physical and emotional wellbeing – could support social wellbeing across different groups – students; women; men etc.

The weekly community fitness program had a huge impact on the community as they recovered and found a ‘new normal’ after the fires. People were at risk of becoming isolated and mental health was a growing issue. In a largely ageing community, physical wellbeing was the way in to addressing mental wellbeing. An evaluation of this program found significant reduction in risk factors and increases in wellbeing at a population level. In fact, the program is still running.

They also hosted others including the men’s shed and the community garden – and reactivated spaces in town that could support connection, healing and regeneration. While there were many people involved, one person in particular was, and still is, the glue for this town – she carefully, kindly, and strategically worked with the community to reimagine spaces and opportunities. She did it knowing that they would never attract the big money or media headlines and so worked smartly too – with locally led sustainability as the goal.

That’s often the reality for those working in remote, rural and regional communities – the challenges are there and it’s up to those of us living and working there to find our unique assets and strengths.

These three examples showcase what’s possible if we flip the narrative and invest in communities, especially in backbone organisations that can take carriage of maintaining focus for the long game. They come in different shapes and sizes and, when built from and by community, are vital parts of community infrastructure. The other lesson I’d share, both from my work at FRRR but also as the resident of a small rural community, is to work on the assumption that the money may never come – hard as that is, it can liberate new thinking and opportunity. I hope that these anecdotes encourage you to reconsider your view of remote, rural and regional Australia. It’s not all doom and gloom – even when times are tough. Imagine what might be possible if regions are truly understood, invested in and valued for their innovation, intelligence, creativity and the contribution they make to our nation’s wellbeing and prosperity.

FRRR launches new podcast series

Leaders from eleven community groups across Australia have shared their stories about the projects their communities embarked on in the depths of the drought that affected so much of Australia over the last decade. The stories can be heard on FRRR’s new Tackling Tough Times Together podcast.

Each of the 10 episodes looks back on a grant that was funded through the long-running Tackling Tough Times Together grant program. Guests are the local leaders behind the projects, who reflect on what shaped the project and most importantly, the impact that it had. They talk about the challenges they faced, how they responded, the lessons they’ve learnt and the legacy that’s been left.

The podcast series supports the release of FRRR’s Tackling Tough Times Together Impact report. The program ran from 2014 to 2022 and sought to support remote, rural and regional communities that were actively in drought, or in the process of recovery from drought. In total, FRRR awarded $18.6 million via 681 grants, with at least half a million people benefitting from the program.

The projects discussed in the podcast range from refurbishing community halls and running community events, to setting up retail spaces so local artisans could generate valuable off-farm income; providing musical experiences that built confidence and skills in young people; to events that brought people together to support one another and to upskill, and art galleries that are not what you might expect.

Social connection was one of the biggest needs, especially as the drought dragged on, and among the stories shared is the Rural Connect project. In the first episode, Lesley Harvey, mental health specialist at the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Sue Kingwill, CEO of Contact Incorporated, talk about how the RFDS and Contact Inc came together to give people across far west New South Wales hope, after 10 years of relentless drought.

Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience & Recovery Lead, said that the series highlights the critical role of local leaders and local organisations in shaping a vibrant, resilient, sustainable and empowered community, despite the challenges of drought.

“Drought has always been an enduring feature within the Australian landscape and it’s had profound impacts right across the FRRR’s 25 year history. These conversations showcase the strength and tenacity of rural communities and highlight once again why investing in social capital is a vital puzzle piece for mitigating the impacts of drought.

“Social cohesion is literally the glue that binds these communities. It’s just so important for people to remain socially connected, engaged and feeling like they’re really supported. But when adversity strikes, it can easily be reprioritised, especially if it’s costly or doesn’t respond to the local context. By capturing these stories, we hope to inspire other communities and to celebrate the work of these groups,” Ms O’Brien said.

You can find the whole series at www.soundcloud.com/FRRRAustralia.

A report commissioned by FRRR into its long-running Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) drought support program has found that funding local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) and community groups and activities that strengthen social capital during drought sustains communities and supports recovery.

The TTTT program ran from 2014 to 2022 and was collaboratively funded by government and philanthropy, awarding $18.6 million via 681 grants. The majority of funding – 84% – went to outer regional, remote or very remote community groups, which often struggle to access other funding. At least half a million people benefited from the program.

The report found there were clear benefits from the projects funded, both during the drought and in the longer-term. The funding helped mitigate the extreme impacts of drought on local people and communities, either directly through investment in human and social capital, or indirectly through built infrastructure investment, strengthening the enabling conditions for short and long-term community vitality.

The review also found:

FRRR’s CEO, Natalie Egleton, says that the TTTT program remains a unique grant program in the funding landscape across remote, rural and regional Australia.

“This program is unmatched in terms of supporting regional communities throughout the drought, and to a depth and ease of accessibility when other funding was not readily available. While there were guidelines of course, the program was flexible and allowed community groups to respond to and prioritise what was important in their town.

“Some of the other key learnings were around the importance of having a longer than usual timeframe for groups to deliver the projects, as well as the importance of the funding being available for more than just two or three years. This allowed some places to co-design projects that have had a lasting legacy. Continued support after drought-breaking rain was also critical,” she explained.

This report has reinforced FRRR’s advocacy for funding that is right-sized and tailored to rural communities and grassroots NFPs during drought as an approach that can mitigate the effects of drought on communities, economies and landscapes.

You can read the report online on FRRR’s website.

FRRR is hosting a webinar to share more of these learnings on Thursday 29 August, from 1:00-2:00 pm AEST. Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/tackling-tough-times-together-frrr-webinar.   

46 projects set to strengthen networks and capabilities

Thanks to funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund through the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative’s Small Network Grants, FRRR has awarded $1,285,219 to 46 not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) for projects that will strengthen community preparedness and resilience to manage the impacts of future droughts.

Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, said that these grants will make a practical difference in some of the areas most sensitive to drought and help communities prepare for the inevitable dry times ahead and challenges that, in some cases, are already evident.

“The diversity of organisations that have applied, coupled with our discussions with local leaders, provide invaluable insights into the wide range of persistent and emerging needs that remote, rural and regional Australia is facing in relation to drought. Mental wellness and personal resilience continues to be a strong theme. We are confident these projects, many of which focus on strengthening personal skills and social connection at a grassroots community level, will really pay positive dividends in the next drought.

“Proactive initiatives include Holbrook Landcare’s series of events in south western NSW featuring The Resilience Guys, who will focus on positive mental health and informal support mechanisms. This is a great example of a project that makes a difference on the ground, particularly for people who may not access traditional mental health services. Other projects include Katherine Town Council (NT), who are organising facilitated workshops for women focussing on social resilience and online support sessions, as well GroWQ who are set to deliver mental and physical first aid training across Far West QLD. Both these projects respond to the challenges of remoteness in drought sensitive regions.

“Community groups are also finding alternative ways to support information sharing and connection to counter the closure of media outlets in some regional areas, which is leaving people feeling disconnected and unheard. The emerging importance of locally-based, community radio projects such as 2Dry FM in Broken Hill in New South Wales, are an example of how communities are adapting to local need, changing ways to stay informed about future climate, and to stay connected.

“These Small Network Grants are flexible and help extend the geographic reach of the overall program, which means they will help address a wide range of needs that local community organisations have identified in diverse locations.

“We look forward to seeing how these grants help communities be better connected, informed and resourced in the next drought,” Ms O’Brien said.

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

While the population of the South Australian Arid Lands is small, with just 24,000 people to a 525,000km² area, there is a strong and proud community spirit. Many families and people volunteer in community and government-led organisations, on top of their personal responsibilities. In the face of severe drought conditions, it can be difficult to maintain this spirit of resilience. Between 2017 to 2020, the region experienced one of the worst droughts on record. Every landscape, community, business and family in the region continues to feel the impact of that drought to this day.  Communities in this region must adapt and prepare for educating children in a very different way to their city counterparts, given the ever-changing impacts of seasonal weather, including drought.

Isolated Children’s Parents Association Marla-Oodnadatta (ICPA) is responsible for organising an annual state conference designed to enhance and enlighten agriculture-dependent communities and drive local action to assist in preparing for future challenges. This year’s ICPA conference was partially funded by a $5,000 FRRR grant awarded through the Community Impact Program, funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund as part of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.

By hosting the conference in Quorn, the ICPA made it easier for their members throughout SA to voice any concerns in relation to educating geographically isolated children. They reported that 35 separate organisations and 150 individuals participated.

They also organised a family-friendly, post-conference event to attract and engage the involvement of more men and families in the ICPA. Festivities included a town treasure hunt put together by Rural Aid, face painting, glitter tattoos, an auction, and a 20/20 cricket game between the ICPA men and Quorn cricket club.

By securing the grant, ICPA enabled their volunteer member base to attend the conference at no charge, strengthening connections and setting themselves up well to achieve great outcomes long into the future.

Kirsty Williams, the Marla-Oodnadatta Branch President said that it is great to have support for regional and remote groups like the ICPA. “Being volunteers, the support of FRRR makes our job that little bit easier.”

First round of Small Network Grants benefit 29 NFPs

FRRR has awarded $737,774 in Small Network Grants to 29 not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) working in remote, rural and regional Australia for projects that will strengthen the capacity and capability of their communities to prepare for, and be resilient to, the impacts of future droughts.

The Small Network Grants program is supported by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund through the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.

Funded projects are diverse, including a Mental Health forum in Junee, NSW; a series of community connection and education events in Alice Springs, NT; a portable toilet to support small-scale community infrastructure projects in Boonah, QLD; a demonstration day for the new digital weather station and soil probe network in Kingscote, SA; Accidental Counsellor training for the Tasmanian community of Triabunna; a Field Day for local secondary students in Birchip, VIC; and a series of natural resources management and drought education sessions in the Great Southern WA region of Kendenup.

Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, said strong interest in the program indicates that organisations and local leaders are actively seeking ways to inspire their communities to connect, communicate and strengthen social capital, so they can better withstand the impacts of future drought.

“Most of the applications we saw in this round of the Small Network Grants program were for projects designed to improve communication, social connection and collaboration within and between communities, as a way of strengthening and preparing for drought.

“Far North West Joint Organisation’s Drought Resilience Community Action Group is a great example of this type of initiative. With a $50,000 grant, the Action Group will help the communities of Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett and Cobar to increase knowledge and resource sharing and promote collaboration, so that the NSW Far West region can be better prepared.

“More than half of the applications we received have never been funded by FRRR. This means we are reaching grassroots organisations and responding to the increased priority around drought preparedness in many remote, rural and regional communities, many of which are still recovering from other climate-related disasters like cyclone and flooding.

“We look forward to seeing how these projects help community groups be better connected, informed and resourced in the next drought,” Ms O’Brien said.

Applications for Round 2 of Small Network Grants are open now and close 26 March 2024, with recipients announced in June 2024.

Potential applicants are encouraged to watch this recorded webinar to learn more about the program and the eligibility requirements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DHpeNQqPeI.

For more information, including the list of eligible LGAs, and to apply, visit: https://frrr.org.au/small-networks-grants.

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

$20,000 and $50,000 grants to strengthen networks and capabilities

FRRR is encouraging community organisations in agriculture-dependent parts of Australia to apply for the latest round of Small Network Grants for initiatives that build community preparedness and resilience to future drought.

The Small Network Grants program is supported by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund through the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.

Grants are available through two Streams of funding for simple, one-off, or seed-type initiatives designed to strengthen local networks and capabilities of remote, rural or regional communities. Stream 1 offers grants up to $20,000 to all agriculture-dependent remote, rural or regional areas (except Stream 2 locations). Stream 1 has an indicative funding pool of $1,175,900[i]. Stream 2 grants of up to $50,000 are available for groups in the NSW Far West, NT Tablelands, NT Arid Lands, Northern Queensland Dry Tropics and WA Great Southern. An indicative funding pool of $1,296,350 is available for Stream 2[ii].

Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, said preparing for the inevitable dry times ahead is critical, particularly for Australia’s agriculture-dependent regions.

“Our Small Network Grants program empowers local organisations to strengthen the social fabric of their town or locality by identifying and acting on their region’s drought preparedness priorities, at a grassroots level, in ways that best suit their communities.

“We look forward to seeing projects that will help community groups be better connected, informed, and resourced in the next drought,” Ms O’Brien said.

The Small Network Grants program can fund projects that fit into one of these five categories:

• Networks: Initiatives to strengthen the capacity, capability, and coordination of professional, social or community networks
• Community Events: Field days, conferences, forums, summits, and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate change associated risks.
• Training:  Initiatives to improve skills and capacity in community risk management, planning and project delivery in relation to drought.
• Community Infrastructure: Small scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing, and facilities.
• Development and Learning: Initiatives to facilitate professional, personal and leadership related development and learning to support drought preparation.

Applications are open now and close 26 March 2024, with recipients announced in June 2024.

Potential applicants are invited to watch this recorded webinar to learn more about the program and the eligibility requirements:

For more information, including the list of priority LGAs, and to apply, visit: https://frrr.org.au/small-networks-grants.

---

[i] Stream 1 – All LGA’s in an agriculture-dependent regional, rural or remote location (except Stream 2 locations). Priority will be given to locations where previous Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative activity has not been undertaken. An indicative funding pool of $1,175,954 is available for Stream 1. Applications up to $20,000 will be accepted.

[ii] Stream 2 – All LGAs from NSW Far West, NT Tablelands, NT Arid Lands, Northern QLD Dry Tropics and WA Great Southern regions only. An indicative funding pool of $1,296,352 is available for Stream 2. Applications up to $50,000 will be accepted.