Future Drought Fund’s Strengthening Drought Resilience on Country Grant Program

The Strengthening Drought Resilience on Country program will provide $12 million to support First Nations-led, community-driven projects that build resilience to drought and climate impacts - by Mob, for Mob.

Up to 6 First Nations organisations, businesses or consortia will be selected as delivery partners through a targeted competitive grant round. Consortia may include non-Indigenous entities but must be First Nations-led.

Delivery partners will work with First Nations peoples in their regions to identify and co-design projects and administer the distribution of funds for those projects.

Projects will address economic, environmental and/or social matters, including cultural practices, that support resilience to drought and climate impacts.

Funding includes:

• Administrative funding for coordination and co-design of projects
• Project funding for sub-grantees to deliver on-ground activities.

Activities may include (but are not limited to) cultural land management, sustainable agriculture and knowledge sharing for cultural continuity.

Delivery partners must ensure inclusive engagement, including women, youth and people with disability.

The program aligns with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, supporting Priority Reform 2 and Outcomes 8, 15 and 16.

The grant round will be open for up to 18 weeks, with an information webinar (anticipated in August) and Grant Opportunity Guidelines available once the opportunity is open for applications.