Communities across the North Coast and Mid North Coast of NSW will benefit from new funding aimed at strengthening social resilience and helping rural communities prepare for drought.
FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) has awarded more than $2 million in grants through the Australian Government-funded Future Drought Fund (FDF) Communities Program, with projects in Bellingen and Eurobodalla among the NSW recipients.
In total, 43 locally led projects across Australia will share $2,085,763 to help agriculture-dependent communities strengthen local networks, build leadership skills, improve wellbeing and increase community connectedness ahead of future drought conditions.
Among the successful NSW projects is Northbank Community Garden Incorporated in Bellingen, which received an $11,200 grant for its Building Drought-Ready Networks: Strengthening Social Connections in the Bellingen Valley project.
The initiative will increase community knowledge and understanding of drought preparedness and adaptation strategies through regular gatherings, practical workshops and strengthened partnerships centred around the local community garden.
Nearly $770,000 has been allocated to 17 projects across NSW, including initiatives on the North Coast and Mid North Coast.
FRRR Head of Granting Jill Karena said rural communities understood the importance of investing in social resilience.
“For more than 25 years, FRRR has worked with communities to build capacity, share vital skills and leverage local networks so that they can better weather the next drought, fire or flood. So we know that remote, rural and regional communities are already incredibly resilient. However, we also know maintaining that strength requires ongoing investment,” Karena said.
“Rural community groups understand the inherent value of investing in social resilience and they are eager to find ways to better support their communities – whether that’s by empowering people to maintain connections or encouraging them to build new skills and relationships.”
Nationally, funded initiatives include wellbeing and leadership programs, practical workshops, community events and projects designed to strengthen local resilience and social connectedness.
Karena said the program recognised the broader pressures facing regional Australia.
“The FDF’s Communities Program is focused on supporting remote, rural and regional communities to prepare for drought. But the reality is, given the increasing impacts and instability of our changing climate, these places are not just at risk of drought. Local leaders are addressing this through initiatives that grow their communities’ resilience, not just for drought, but to better withstand the wider impacts of climate change,” she said.
The next round of Regional Drought Resilience Plan Social Outcome Grants and Small Network Grants opens on 26 May 2026.
More information is available at: https://frrr.org.au/funding/fdf-communities/
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