Deadline: 17-Sep-2026
The FRRR Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Prepare & Recover program provides grants of up to $25,000 to support rural, remote, and regional Australian communities in building disaster resilience and recovering from climate-related events. It funds community-led initiatives that strengthen preparedness, recovery, and long-term resilience, typically delivered within 12 months.
What Is the SRC Prepare & Recover Program?
The Strengthening Rural Communities Prepare & Recover program is an initiative by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). It is designed to help rural, remote, and regional communities in Australia prepare for climate-related disasters and recover from their impacts.
The program focuses on long-term resilience building, especially in communities that face heightened vulnerability due to climate change, isolation, and limited resources.
Purpose and Objectives
The program aims to:
- Strengthen disaster preparedness in rural communities
- Support recovery from past climate-related disasters
- Build long-term community resilience and adaptability
- Enhance local skills, knowledge, and leadership
- Improve social cohesion and community connection
- Support First Nations-led healing and Country care initiatives
- Enable locally driven climate resilience solutions
- Strengthen regional and remote community capacity
Key Focus Areas
The program prioritizes projects that contribute to:
Disaster Preparedness
- Emergency readiness planning
- Community training and awareness programs
- Risk reduction and preparedness education
Disaster Recovery
- Medium to long-term recovery (1–10 years post-disaster)
- Community rebuilding and support initiatives
- Mental health and social recovery programs
Climate Resilience
- Climate adaptation initiatives
- Local sustainability and resilience planning
- Nature-based and community-led climate solutions
Community Strengthening
- Building social connections and networks
- Information sharing and local leadership development
- Skills development and capacity building
First Nations Engagement
- Recognition of Indigenous knowledge systems
- Support for cultural healing and connection to Country
- First Nations-led community resilience projects
Funding Overview
- Grant amount: Up to $25,000 per project
- Project duration: Up to 12 months
- Funding type: Community resilience and capacity-building support
- Geographic scope: Rural, regional, and remote Australia
Funding is intended for practical, locally driven initiatives that strengthen long-term resilience.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Incorporated associations
- Organisations with an ABN or Incorporation Certificate
- Community groups working in eligible regions
- Organisations without Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status (eligible if other criteria are met)
Applicants must:
- Operate in rural, remote, or regional Australia
- Deliver projects with clear public benefit
- Demonstrate community need and engagement
- Submit a realistic and well-structured project budget
Eligible Project Types
Examples of supported activities include:
- Community disaster preparedness programs
- Local emergency response training
- Climate resilience workshops and education
- Recovery support initiatives following disasters
- Community connection and wellbeing programs
- Local leadership and capacity-building projects
- First Nations cultural and environmental initiatives
- Knowledge-sharing and information systems for resilience
Ineligible Activities
The program does NOT fund:
- Government statutory responsibilities
- Ongoing core operational costs or general running expenses
- Overseas projects
- Political lobbying or advocacy campaigns
- Projects benefiting private or commercial interests
- Solely animal welfare initiatives
- Projects eligible for insurance claims
- Retrospective funding for completed work
Assessment Criteria
Applications are typically assessed based on:
- Community need and local relevance
- Strength of community leadership and involvement
- Contribution to resilience and preparedness
- Alignment with FRRR priorities
- Feasibility and clarity of project design
- Long-term impact and sustainability
- Inclusion of First Nations perspectives where relevant
FRRR Strategic Alignment
The program aligns with FRRR’s broader strategic priorities:
- Support for outback and very remote communities
- Disaster resilience and recovery
- Climate change adaptation and solutions
- Next generation leadership and transition
- First Nations self-determination and cultural strength
Application Requirements
Applicants must provide:
- Clear project description and objectives
- Evidence of community need
- Detailed and balanced budget
- Breakdown of grant and co-funding contributions
- In-kind support from community partners (if available)
- Implementation timeline and outcomes
Importance of the Program
The SRC Prepare & Recover program is important because it:
- Supports vulnerable rural communities facing climate risks
- Strengthens long-term disaster resilience and preparedness
- Encourages locally led solutions rather than external interventions
- Builds social cohesion and community capacity
- Supports recovery beyond immediate disaster response
- Recognises Indigenous knowledge in resilience building
Conclusion
The FRRR Strengthening Rural Communities Prepare & Recover program is a targeted funding initiative that helps rural, remote, and regional Australian communities prepare for and recover from climate-related disasters. By funding locally led, community-driven projects, it strengthens resilience, supports recovery, and builds long-term capacity in some of Australia’s most vulnerable regions.
For more information, visit FRRR.
