(Photo: FRRR)
March 5, 2019
The media may be full of reports about floods, but the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) knows the impacts of the drought are still being felt in many parts of Australia.
“In many places, January was the hottest month on record, and more and more townships are facing acute water shortages,” FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton said.
“The ripple effect this creates within communities is considerable – there’s no money for the little extras that make life comfortable and that many of us take for granted.”
To help tackle this, FRRR have opened applications for their Tackling Tough Times Together grants program.
The program aims to help communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought.
It funds community-based activities that help relieve stress, and build capacity and resilience for the future.
Community groups in drought-affected areas anywhere in Australia can apply for grants up to $20,000, or up to $60,000 to support locally led responses to the drought.
A number of grants of up to $150,000 are also available for larger-scale, multi-year projects.
Ms Egleton said Tackling Tough Times Together funding would make a real difference to many drought-affected communities.
“Tackling Tough Times Together is deliberately flexible so local leaders can take the reins on solutions that will have the biggest impact on their communities,” she said.
“In some cases, that’s supporting young people.
“In other communities, it’s about putting the focus on alternative sources of income, so communities can survive until the drought breaks.
“And for others, the priority is to bring people together to support one another.”
Groups supported in the last round include the South Burnett Community Orchestra and the Red Earth Community Foundation.
Groups can apply at any time but the cut-off date for the next batch of applications is April 30.
Expressions of interest for grants in the $150,000 tier must be received by April 11.
More information about the grant program is available on FRRR’s website
[UPDATED with correction]
