Community organisations in the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim LGAs this is for you!

Applications are now open for grants of up to $20,000 for events and initiatives to strengthen communities’ drought preparedness.

Applications close 14 November 2023 at 5:00 pm (AEDT).

Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim local government areas have been listed in the Priority Local Government Areas for Small Network Grants.

Funding up to $20,000 is available to community organisations to develop and deliver events or initiatives that enhance community networks and capabilities dedicated to bolstering drought preparedness.

Guidelines can be found here or visit the official page here.

What can be funded

Applications are sought from locally based, not-for-profit organisations that seek to undertake simple, one-off, or seed-type activities or initiatives that contribute to the stated program outcomes. Local collaboration is encouraged.

Projects may include:

• Initiatives to strengthen the capacity, capability, and coordination of professional, social, or community networks.
• Field days, conferences, forums, summits, and seminars facilitate professional, social, and community connections to build an understanding of drought and climate change-associated risks.
• Initiatives to improve skills and capacity in community risk management, planning, and project delivery in relation to drought.
• Small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, well-being, and facilities.
• Initiatives to facilitate professional, personal, and leadership-related development and learning to support drought preparation.

Priorities for program investments

• Activities and initiatives focus on long-term social connection, capability building, and increasing capacity for people and communities to adapt to change over time.
• Activities and initiatives with a clear and distinct linkage to building drought preparedness in local communities.
• Simple, one-off, or seed-type initiatives tailored to meet local needs and the unique geographical, climatic, and community context.
• Delivery locations with higher potential for drought impact and outside the geographical reach of existing Future Drought Fund investment locations through the Community Impact Grants component of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.
• Demonstrated community readiness to support the project at a local level.
• Opportunities for collaboration with a diverse range of community-based organisations at a local or regional level.
• Initiatives that specifically engage local young people and First Nations people or communities.
• Project alignment with other Future Drought Fund investments, or other community resilience initiatives.

The grants are one of five program elements that are part of the Future Drought Fund's Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.