FRRR awards $652,740 in grants to 24 inspiring community initiatives, with more than half benefitting First Nations communities.
FRRR’s Community Led Climate Solutions (CLCS) program has awarded the grants to NFPs from across remote, rural and regional Australia for initiatives that will address the localised impacts of global warming and energy industry .
The CLCS program supports locally led projects that inform and empower locals to adapt or act to mitigate the risks caused by a changing climate. It also supports initiatives that empower community groups to assist locals impacted by away from fossil fuel industries and/or to the clean energy industry.
The grants are funded through two streams, ranging from $19,186 for a native plant nursery in Moora, WA, to $75,000 for an Indigenous STEM education program to be rolled out in multiple remote communities across the country.
Through the Engage and Deliver stream, 20 NFPs will share nearly $400,000 in grants of up to $20,000 each, while four community groups will share nearly $255,000 via the Scaling stream. These larger grants of up to $75,000 not only help scale an appropriate existing locally led project but will also directly alleviate socio-economic disadvantage and improve the capacity of the local community to take an active role, or lead, in the mitigation or adaptation of climate change.
FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton said that rural people are keen to get on the front foot of climate change, but they also want a seat at the table when and investments are directly impacting their community.
“The projects we’re funding present a range of climate solutions that showcase future-focused, community-led responses. The support, engagement or education of young people is a strong theme, and these projects stood out as robust in their planning, engagement, partnerships and the community support mechanisms that would be activated,” Egleton said.
According to Egleton, they also saw groups keen to develop and share contextualised and culturally responsive knowledge and skills with the wider community. This reflects a desire for local community organisations to engage broadly and provide education and information on climate solutions relevant to improving local lives and livelihoods through tangible actions and respectful conversations.
“Pleasingly, of the 24 organisations receiving funding, two are First Nations-led and controlled organisations, while 11 demonstrated a partnership with local Traditional Owner groups for the delivery of their project. We’re particularly pleased to see this strong engagement, as these projects will benefit many remote and very remote communities,” she explained.
FRRR is grateful to partner with a growing number of like-minded organisations, including Hand Heart Pocket – The Charity of Freemasons Queensland, Paul Ramsay Foundation, Elders Insurance (backed by the QBE Foundation) and PNI Foundation.
“The strong demand for support we continue to receive from groups across remote, rural and regional Australia reinforces the vital role that our partners play in empowering communities to be vibrant and sustainable, for the long-term. For other philanthropic or corporate bodies that share this vision, we encourage you to join this partnership of like-minded organisations,” Egleton added.
For more information, please visit FRRR’s website.
Read also: 10 changemakers share $500K in grants to support young rural Queenslanders
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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