Future Drought Fund: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how the Future Drought Fund provides grants to help farmers and regional communities build resilience against drought.
The Future Drought Fund is a government initiative designed to provide financial support to help farmers and regional communities prepare for and manage the impacts of drought.
Who it's for
This scheme is intended for farmers and people working within regional communities. The focus is specifically on those who are actively building drought resilience, helping to ensure that both individual agricultural businesses and broader local areas are better equipped to handle periods of low rainfall and water scarcity.
What you get
The fund offers grants that can be used to support various essential needs. This includes funding for physical infrastructure to manage water or land more effectively, as well as access to training to improve skills. Additionally, the grants can be used for farm planning, which helps producers develop long-term strategies to manage their land and livestock during challenging weather cycles.
What it costs you
While there is no direct fee to apply for the funding, you must dedicate time and effort to the application process. The scheme operates through competitive rounds, meaning you will need to submit a formal application and compete against other applicants to secure the necessary capital.
The catch to know
The most important thing to understand before applying is the requirement for long-term thinking. It is not enough to seek help for immediate, short-term issues; your project must demonstrate a clear path toward long-term climate adaptation. You must show how your project will help your farm or community adapt to changing climate patterns over many years.
How to apply
- Assess your specific project to ensure it focuses on building drought resilience.
- Verify that your project goals demonstrate how you will adapt to long-term climate changes.
- Check for open application periods or specific funding rounds issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
- Prepare a detailed application that outlines the infrastructure, training, or planning needs your project requires.