Seventy-nine community groups across remote, rural and regional Australia are sharing more than $730,000 in grants from FRRR’s flagship Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program. 

The grants are awarded through two streams of funding – one that focuses on ‘small and vital projects’ that enhance the vitality and liveability of these country communities, and another that focuses on either disaster recovery or preparedness.  

FRRR Place Portfolio Lead, Jill Karena, highlighted that as in recent rounds, most projects are seeking to innovate or respond to local opportunities, or enhance community identity, well-being and a sense of place but there are different priorities across the country.  

“That’s the beauty of this program. It’s flexible, so it can respond to the priorities of each individual place.” 

Karena also highlighted that there are some common themes, including building community resilience and local disaster preparedness, especially when it comes to having a self-sufficient centre that can support the community during or after a disaster. 

Similarly, as the cost of living rises and more people move into rural and remote areas, food insecurity is increasing, and gaps in community support services are becoming more evident. This heightened demand is particularly significant for specialist services such as disability support, First Nations literacy, and neurodiversity care. 

“The focus we saw last round on support for small-scale infrastructure or equipment continued, as more local NFPs assume management and maintenance of community facilities to ensure they aren’t lost,” added Karena.  

“These kinds of facilities are critical to maintaining social connection, as well as being critical hubs from which visiting services such as mobile playgroups and regular exercise classes operate or host critical meetings, so ensuring they are fit for purpose is vital.”  

Some of the projects funded include:

• KidsXpress Limited 

• Resilient Lismore Incorporated 

• Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW Ltd  

• Indigenous Community Television Limited   

• Charleville & District Historical Society Incorporated   

• Stirling North Primary School   

• Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House   

• Warracknabeal Playgroup Inc  

• Wyndham Historical Society Inc   

However, demand for funding continues to outstrip what FRRR has available, with this round seeing more than 60 ‘funding-ready’ and worthy small and vital projects seeking $680,000 in support missing out.

FRRR always accepts applications to this program, which awards funds around four times a year. Local not-for-profit organisations and community groups are encouraged to review the program guidelines and apply.  

More information about the SRC program is available at the FRRR website.