New national program empowers rural communities to prepare for drought.

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) have launched the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program, an ambitious, $36 million initiative funded by the Australian Government, to strengthen social resilience in agriculture-dependent communities.

The program builds on previous drought resilience efforts and introduces a suite of support measures tailored to the unique needs of remote, rural and regional communities. It includes:

• Community Impact Program, launching in 2026 across 12 regions, combining grants, leadership development, and coordinated local planning.

• Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) Social Outcome Grants of up to $100,000 per approved region to help bring to life the social resilience activities and projects already outlined in their region’s RDRP.

• Small Network Grants of up to $50,000 for LGAs outside of the Community Impact Program regions to strengthen networks, run local events, training & small-scale infrastructure projects.

• National Mentoring Initiative, offering individuals a 12-month virtual mentoring experience to share knowledge and build networks.

• Capacity Building Initiative, which will be co-designed with community.

FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton highlights the importance of proactive community-led resilience.

“The aim is for people to be better skilled, informed, connected and resourced, so that they can draw upon these strengths in times of drought.”

Small Network Grants and Regional Drought Resilience Social Outcome Grants are now accepting applications. To learn more or apply,

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