Free grant seeker workshops in NSW Central West to tackle tough times
Mick Callan
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) will be holding a series of free grantseeker workshops in late October, so that community groups in drought-affected regions of NSW are best informed to apply for FRRR's Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) grant program.
Grantseeker workshops are coming to a number of drought-affected NSW towns this October
FRRR’s disaster resilience team will be running the free sessions in Coleambally, Condobolin, Crookwell, Forbes, Gundagai, Hillston and Young.
Designed specifically for drought-affected communities, FRRR's TTTT program helps communities access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought. The grants support community-based activities that both help to relieve current stressors and symptoms, and importantly, build capacity and resilience for the future.
Communities in these areas of NSW have not experienced a drought of this magnitude since records began 120 years ago. That means that the severity of the current conditions has surpassed those of the Federation drought, the World War II drought and the Millennium drought.
Emma Thomas, Disaster Recovery & Resilience Programs Manager, explains that smaller rural communities can struggle to raise the funds for projects that will help them address the challenges they are facing.
"Grant funding can be a catalyst for change and Tackling Tough Times Together grants in particular can be a real lifeline for communities when spirits need a lift, so we're thrilled to share our tips and tricks for preparing successful applications. The workshops are free to attend and can be a great way to translate ideas into compelling applications and to get immediate feedback.
"What you will learn can be applied to any grant application or funding request."
Registrations for the free grantseeker workshops are available on FRRR's Facebook page and on Eventbrite. Search 'tackling tough times' for your preferred workshop location.
The TTTT program offers grants across three tiers – up to $20,000 or up to $60,000 to support locally-led responses to the drought, with a small number of grants of up to $150,000 also available for larger-scale, multi-year projects.
Over 13 rounds to date, the TTTT program has delivered over $5.9 million in grant funding to 293 projects in drought-affected communities.
The Forbes Art Society was recently awarded a $2,983 grant as part of the TTTT program to contribute to a culturally vibrant community by hosting a creative writing retreat, supporting people to create their own memoirs and share these with the community. As well as providing the opportunity to participate in a creative art, the inclusive environment strengthened social connections.
“There is no doubt that such workshops provide creative, social, and health benefits to the participants which can then flow on to the community,” said Dr Rae Luckie, who facilitated the retreat. “Feedback revealed all came away with a sense of achievement.”
Applications for this program are always open and groups in drought-affected areas are encouraged to apply for funding to help their community come together to tackle the drought. The next cut-off dates for applications are:
24 October 2019 - for grants up to $20,000 or $60,000 (EOIs for the $15,000 tier already closed). Outcomes will be advised in February 2020.
25 February 2020 - EOIs for the $150,000 tier must be received by 12 December 2019. Outcomes advised late May 2020.
More information on the Tackling Tough Times Together grant program is available on FRRR's website.