Applications close: 5pm Thursday 4 December 2025
Funding announced by mid March 2026
Small grants: up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions, with a preference for smaller communities (populations less than15,000). The timeframe to deliver these projects is up to 12 months.
Targeted larger leverage grants: up to $50,000 are only available for projects that focus on strengthening the digital skills, confidence and safety of adults enabling them to get online, build social connections and access services, information, education and employment through training, as well as acquiring the digital and connectivity infrastructure where needed. The timeframe to deliver these projects is up to 18 months.
FRRR’s Small & Vital program supports thriving, resilient, and sustainable remote, rural and regional communities across Australia.
In particular, priority will be given to projects that:
Support communities to implement generational transition;
Invest in outback, remote and less resourced communities;
Build capacity and resourcing for a just and equitable energy transition;
Support First Nations-led initiatives that strengthen culture, country, economic participation and reconciliation.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.
NOTE: There are two streams of funding available within the Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Program: Small and Vital and Prepare and Recover.
