Community Impact Program
From late 2025 to late 2028, selected regional communities will be able to continue deepening their progress in community leadership and
drought resilience.
Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) will deliver activities that fall within the Future Drought Fund’s Partnering for Local Solutions priority funding area, through the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program.
Grants and Leadership Activities
Impact Leadership Program
Community Leadership Activities
ARLF will run suite of Leadership Activities under the Impact Leadership Program umbrella will be available in 12 regions as part of the Communities Program.
Recognising that each region has unique characteristics, strengths and challenges, the ARLF will work with you to tailor a series of Activities to achieve common goals and long-term sustained impact to the community.
Delivered from 2026 – 2028, these Activities provide a unique opportunity for individuals to build skills, strengthen connections and networks, and build networks across regional, rural and remote Australia. The first event, the National Impact Forum brings together the First Five from each region – individuals who have the commitment and capacity to develop not just their own leadership practice, but in their collaborative leadership and changemaking practices.
The Impact Leadership Program is designed to equip individuals with practical tools to understand and respond to regional challenges and opportunities. Participants will gain hands on experience in facilitation and community collaboration and will deepen their knowledge of capacity building in region, social resilience and changemaking practices.
National Impact Forum with First Five
June 2026 – 5 participants from each region
A three day national event held in Mildura Victoria June 23-25, 2026, bringing together First Five representatives from across the 12 community Impact regions.
The Forum will support participants to deepen their understanding of social and drought resilience and how these challenges show up in different regional contexts. It will focus on systems leadership, human centred design, critical thinking and analytical reasoning.
Participants will also explore the impact of strong networks, effective stakeholder engagement and the practical application of facilitation skills. The intent is to strengthen national connections, share regional insights and build confidence to lead collaborative action back in their communities.
Coaching
After the Forum, First Five participants will receive individual and group coaching (between 3-6 sessions) with accredited coaches and take part in shaping and delivering a Networked Leadership Program in their own region.
Networked Leadership Program
25 people from each region
A three-day program tailored to each region’s needs focusing on individual and collective leadership capacity, community conversation & engagement skills to guiding effective community dialogue on pertinent issues, as well as building networks across boundaries and navigating complexity.
Regional Impact Forum
Up to 125 people from each region
Following the conclusion of the Networked Leadership Program, further coaching may be provided to support the First Five to prepare to co host the Regional Impact Forum. This element will be tailored to the needs of each region and may change depending on local context and the outcomes of the consultation process. The forums across the region may look different depending on the regional spread and the way communities are engaged through the consultation process.
The Forum brings together a broad cross section of the community to take part in dynamic and collaborative conversations focused on social resilience opportunities identified locally.
The Forum uses an experiential approach and provides practical frameworks and tools that support participants to carry their learning beyond the event. The intent is to encourage ongoing dialogue, shared leadership and action across the community and the wider region.
Community Impact Grants
FRRR will work with locally led community organisations to develop and deliver local projects and activities that broadly result in strengthened social capital, wellbeing, and connectedness to prepare for and build social resilience to drought.
The program will provide grants up to a maximum of $150,000 in 12 regions across Australia. A total of $900,000 is available for each region through a collaborative grantmaking process.
Networks
Initiatives to strengthen the capacity, capability and collaboration of professional, social or community networks and/or locally based not for profit organisations.
Community Events
Field days, conferences, forums, summits and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate related risks.
Training
Initiatives to improve skills, knowledge and capacity in community risk management, planning and project delivery in relation to drought.
Small Scale Community Infrastructure
Projects that improve local community meeting places, including purchase of minor equipment to support increased usage, social connectedness and community wellbeing.
Development and Learning
Initiatives to facilitate professional, personal and leadership related development and learning to support drought preparation.
What regions will be covered?
There will be a focus on regions identified as drought sensitive, with dedicated opportunities designed to suit local leaders. The map outlines the regions in the Community Impact Program and Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Be part of an adaptive leadership movement shaped by you, your community, and the future we’re building together.
FAQs
A full list of FAQs related to the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program can be found here.
Delivered in partnership
Enquire Now
Applications for this program have closed.
Please fill out form to express your interest and when the details for the next program are known we will be in touch to let you know when applications will open.
If you have any questions, we’re here to help. Please email our Project team (support@rural-leaders.org.au ).
Express your interest in the Impact Leadership Program by completing this form.
This is step one.
Once submitted, we’ll send you further details about how you can participate in the Impact Leadership Program.