Applications for the national Future Drought Fund's Networks to Build Drought Resilience program funding need to be in by November 15.

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is encouraging community groups and not-for-profits in agriculture-dependent Katherine communities to get their applications in for the next round of grants and share in a total of $2.9 million in funds.

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Round 1 grant recipients were recently announced, with funding awarded to local groups to support community projects such as events that will bring people together, training that will increase knowledge and skills, and infrastructure that will facilitate and enable networking.

No money was given out in the Katherine region, and in this second round of grants, FRRR is particularly keen to hear from groups in the Northern Territory.

The grants, ranging from $10,000 to up to $150,000, can support a wide range of initiatives that build resilience against future droughts including events, projects, activities, training and small-scale infrastructure that will strengthen community engagement, networking and preparedness for drought.

Funded by the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and a range of other donor partners, the program focuses on strengthening social connectedness, building social capital and funding transformative local initiatives that will enable agricultural communities to be more prepared for the impacts of drought.

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that the Future Drought Fund's Networks to Build Drought Resilience program focuses on supporting community-led drought initiatives that build and strengthen connections in agricultural communities that are vulnerable to drought.

"Each community faces its own unique set of stressors and challenges, and is starting from a different place when it comes to building drought resilience," Ms Egleton said.

"That's why this program funds projects that local communities have identified will help their community better prepare for the future impacts of climate change."

The type of programs that will be most effective vary from region to region, Ms Egleton said.

"In some places, that's initiatives like strengthening young-farmer or women in agriculture networks, and for others it might be about building those community networks to share knowledge of soils or better understanding the latest tools and technologies around climate and seasonable variability," she said.

"Yet in other places, the emphasis might need to be on wellbeing and building mental resilience.

"We're particularly keen to see proactive initiatives that bring communities together, to create and strengthen social networks to engage in meaningful collaboration.

"This is a critical part of making sure remote, rural and regional communities can thrive in the future."

Applications close 15 November, with funds announced late February, and activities must be completed by 29 August 2022.

There have been a number of community groups in Katherine that have received grants from FRRR in the past.

Most recently, the Katherine museum was awarded $5000 for new outdoor tables and chairs to enhance its appeal as a Territory tourist destination. The grant was awarded as part of a small community grant program offered by Nutrien Ag, in partnership with the FRRR.

Katherine Regional Arts Incorporated was awarded a grant through FRRR's Strengthening Rural Communities(SRC) program in 2020 for their KRA Solar Powered Cinema's Final Stage Optimisation Project.

This grant paid for some small-scale infrastructure, which helps to bring people together.

A group in Roper River also received an SRC grant in 2019 for an initiative to build the capacity of land managers and Traditional owners in the Roper region to engage in sustainable land management.

"This is actually a really good example of what kind of project the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program can fund," said Ms Egleton.

Other previous FRRR grant recipients in the Katherine region include NT Friendship & Support Inc, Katherine Women's Information & Legal Service Association and the Isolated Children's Parents Association Northern Territory State Council - although all of them received grants through other programs.

For more information about the Future Drought Fund's Networks to Build Resilience program, visit www.frrr.org.au/networks.

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