Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program

Building and maintaining social resilience to drought

Across 12 regions, the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program (FDFCP) is providing an integrated package of support to help communities prepare for drought.

Through Community Impact Grants with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and fully funded Leadership Activities with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF), local groups are building networks, skills and capabilities to respond with strength and confidence.

Helping people in agriculture-dependent communities to build and maintain their social resilience to drought.

On 28 May 2025, the Honourable Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, announced the extension of the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program for another four years, with $36 million in new support from the Government. This funding will help enable people in agriculture-dependent communities to build and maintain their social resilience to drought.

Discover more about the programs

Program snapshot

From late 2025 to late 2028, the ARLF 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. 

Since 2020, the ARLF has partnered with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and FRRR to identify and act on drought preparedness priorities at a grassroots level. Both organisations will continue to do this by delivering a tailored package of support that invests in projects that seek to strengthen social and community resilience to drought and other climate impacts by supporting networks, leadership, engagement and wellbeing in agriculture-dependent communities. 

Community Impact Program Grants and Leadership Activities | FRRRARLF

Locally-based not-for-profit organisations in selected regions will work collaboratively to design a roadmap of projects to support drought preparedness. 

Grant funds will be made available to activate the initiatives over several years. This will also include leadership opportunities to be delivered in region by ARLF. 

Information on the Community Impact Grants will be available shortly from FRRR.

Regional Drought Resilience Plan Social Outcomes Grants | FRRR

This new stream of support will offer resourcing to organisations to deliver on social resilience priorities outlined in their region’s Regional Drought Resilience Plan.

Information on the Regional Drought Resilience Plan Social Outcomes Grants will be available shortly from FRRR. 

Small Network GrantsFRRR

Not-for-profit organisations outside of the Community Impact Program regions will be able to apply for funding over multiple rounds to deliver small, discrete projects to support their communities to prepare for drought.

Regional Drought Resilience Plan Social Outcomes Grants will be available shortly from FRRR. 

Mentoring | ARLF

Virtual 12-month mentoring program bringing together mentees from agriculture-dependent communities, who want to contribute to their community’s drought resilience, with experienced mentors.

Capacity Building Initiative | FRRR

This initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of regional community based not-for-profit organisations that are essential to building social resilience in rural and regional Australia.

What regions will be covered?

There will be a focus on regions identified as drought-sensitive, with dedicated opportunities designed to suit local leaders. In addition, a national funding allocation will be available for regions outside those identified in the Future Drought Fund’s Communities Program.​

Further information on the regions will be announced soon. Stay up to date by checking our website or register your interest to be notified when details are available.

Real drought resilience starts with people. Connected, confident and ready to lead through change.

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