From February 2022 until February 2024, a special funding stream to support communities adversely affected by the COVID pandemic is available.

The Rebuilding Regional Communities stream runs in parallel with the Bushfire Recovery and Small & Vital streams within the flagship Strengthening Rural Communities program.

Funding is now available in remote, rural and regional areas in all States and Territories. A total of $5 million will be provided nationally from 2022 to 2024 through two funding tiers:

• Grants up to $10,000 (always open) for communities with fewer than 50,000 people; and

• Grants up to $50,000 (offered twice a year until November 2023), for communities that are classified as remote, rural or regional as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Australian Geography Standards.

Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that assist communities to recover from and adapt to the impacts of the COVID pandemic.  Funds can support community-led, place based initiatives that:

• Enhance the process of recovery from the COVID pandemic for remote, rural and regional communities;

• Reduce social isolation and foster stronger, more resilient remote, rural and regional communities; and/or

• Sustain local, regional, rural and remote organisations and their work.

Round 19 is NOW OPEN

EOIs close 2 October 2023

Full applications are due by 4 December 2023, 5.00PM (AEDT)