July 4, 2019
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has released details of the latest round of the ANZ Seeds of Renewal program for rural communities.
Grants of up to $15,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations to fund initiatives that help build vibrant, sustainable rural communities.
The Seeds of Renewal program was established in 2003 and is administered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).
It has so far invested $4.8 million in more than 800 community groups to support local projects.
In 2019, the ANZ Seeds of Renewal program is offering a share of $250,000 to community organisations in regional locations for projects that improve:
- Environmental sustainability: Initiatives that restore and conserve the natural environment or which contribute to lower carbon emissions, water stewardship and waste minimisation
- Financial wellbeing: Particularly for under-represented and disadvantaged people in our community, including initiatives that improve economic participation. For example, through building financial literacy and vocational skills and providing access to meaningful work
- Housing access: Initiatives and programs that support those experiencing or at risk of homelessness or that provide support for people living with a disability
ANZ’s technology partner, Lenovo, has also donated devices totalling $20,000 to eligible community projects, in lieu of cash grants. The grants and devices are available to not-for-profit, community-based organisations operating in regional communities of 15,000 people or less.
Cooyar State School P&C was successful in 2015, receiving a $7866 grant to buy reading resources to provide students with increased access to quality reading materials to improve literacy.
Central Burnett Landcare received an $8000 grant in 2014.
FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton said the ANZ Seeds of Renewal program was a real opportunity to strengthen the foundations in rural communities.
“Healthy environments, financial and economic resilience and access to basic needs such as housing, are the foundations of strong, vibrant and sustainable communities,” she said.
“Yet rural, regional and remote communities experience disproportionate disadvantage in these areas.
“These grants can help local leaders address these issues and strengthen their communities through projects that are designed with and for the local community.”
Applications close on Tuesday, August 6.
- More information about the grants is available online
