News

Grants boost drought resilience

By Contributed

May 10, 2026

The Future Droughts Fund is run by the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal, and funded by the Federal Government. This month’s grants are the first to be released in the project. Photo by Contributed

Northern Victorian communities are set to benefit from more than $2 million in funding to strengthen local connections and build resilience ahead of future droughts.

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The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal has announced $2.08 million in grants supporting 43 locally led projects across agriculture‑dependent regions, including several in Northern Victoria.

Successful local recipients include Riverine Plains Limited in Murchison, which received $100,000 for community business workshops, and the Nourish Nation Foundation in Shepparton, awarded $17,500 to deliver food security and learning programs.

The funding represents the first round of the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund Communities Program, which supports not‑for‑profit organisations delivering initiatives that strengthen social networks, wellbeing and leadership.

More than $1.1 million was shared between 13 organisations through Regional Drought Resilience Plan Social Outcome Grants, backing activities already identified by Northern Victorian communities as priorities.

A further $1 million was awarded to 30 groups through Small Network Grants to support community events and connection‑building projects.

This investment is supported by $1.3 million in local in‑kind contributions.

Foundation head of granting Jill Karena said building drought resilience meant investing in people, relationships and grassroots leadership.

The next funding round opens on May 26.