ANZ commits $250,000 to rural and regional communities through Seeds of Renewal.
Applications are now open for the 2024 ANZ Seeds of Renewal program, with grants of up to $15,000 available for not-for-profit organisations and community groups in remote, rural, and regional Australia.
Since 2003, ANZ has partnered with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to fund more than 850 community groups through the program, with a total investment of more than $6 million.
“The ANZ Seeds of Renewal program has been providing grants to communities in rural and regional Australia for more than two decades, many of which find it difficult to access the resources they need to prosper,” said Agribusiness ANZ Head Mark Bennett.
“The program is something we’re really proud of, and each year I look forward to seeing the diverse mix of applicants and projects.”
Now in its 22nd year, the ANZ Seeds of Renewal program is again offering a funding pool of $250,000 to community groups in remote, rural, and regional locations for projects aligned to four areas:
- Environmental sustainability: initiatives that restore and conserve the natural environment or contribute to lower carbon emissions, water stewardship and waste minimisation;
- Financial wellbeing: initiatives that improve economic participation, particularly for under-represented and disadvantaged people in the community. For example, 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 housing support for people living with disability; or
- Assisting local communities to thrive: projects that either enable vibrant communities, where everyone can participate and build a better life, or create sustainable communities that help deliver demonstrable medium to long-term economic sustainability.
“Partnerships, like our long-running one with ANZ, are critical to enhancing the liveability and vibrancy of remote, rural and regional communities,” said FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton.
According to Egleton, these grants allow local not-for-profits to get support for initiatives that address the local priorities that communities have identified.
“I look forward to seeing what projects come through this year.”
Last year, ANZ and FRRR provided grants to 20 community groups for projects including increasing rainforest regeneration, restoring indigenous plants, enhancing local housing and employment opportunities, and improving financial literacy and money management skills against digital fraud.
Applications for the 2024 Seeds of Renewal program open on 3 July, and close at 5 pm (AEST), 1 August 2024.
Related: ANZ commits $250K to help rural and regional communities through Seeds of Renewal