Prevention is better than a cure and the same certainly goes for natural disasters. Backing rural and remote communities to better prepare for weather events and act now to reduce the risks from a changing climate, means they can bounce back sooner and have better long-term social and economic outcomes.
Seven community-led projects will share in more than $120,000 distributed to Queensland under the first round of a new national Community-Led Climate Solutions grants.
The grants, delivered through our disaster resilience partner, the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), recognise local community groups with innovative solutions that build their resilience to a changing climate, prepare for the energy transition to renewable sources, and reduce their carbon emissions.
In Gympie for example, the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Ltd is working with local schools to develop ‘water wise’ gardens, thanks to almost $20,000 from FRRR.
In Yeppoon, Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland Inc will use almost $4,000 from FRRR to build local interest in renewable energy sources, by holding a documentary screening and a facilitated panel discussion with local and national experts.
FRRR’s Climate Solutions Lead, Sarah Matthee, said that the applications reflected the variety of climate solutions underway across rural communities, and the breadth of opportunities available to enable local groups to take action.
“People living in remote, rural and regional communities have the knowledge and ideas to implement solutions that can help to decarbonise, mitigate climate risks, and adapt in a changed climate. But they need a hand to take action.
“With the support of Boundless Earth and Hand Heart Pocket, we’ve been able to fund 16 place-based, community-led climate solutions projects nationally, which we hope will deliver social, environmental and economic community benefit across remote, rural and regional Australia,” Ms Matthee said.
Hand Heart Pocket CEO Sara Parrott said the Freemasons of Queensland have a tradition of supporting local communities in times of disaster, and this partnership ensures more regional and rural communities can prepare for and mitigate the risks of a changing climate.
“Our partnership with FRRR complements the work we do with GIVIT to support disaster relief efforts. Both are equally as important,” Ms Parrott said.
“By partnering with FRRR, we are able to reach more of Queensland than ever before, and through these grants we are pleased to be able to help locals to develop and implement the climate responses that are right for their community.
“Congratulations to the Queensland recipients of this grant round,” she said.
For more information about the Queensland and national grant recipients visit the FRRR website.
About FRRR
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal – FRRR – (F-triple-R) – is the only national foundation specifically focused on ensuring the social and economic strength of remote, rural and regional communities. FRRR’s unique model connects common purposes and investment with locally prioritised needs, to create communities that are vital and resilient. Since FRRR’s start in 2000, it has delivered more than $177 million to nearly 14,000 projects.
