The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has announced that its In a Good Place (IAGP) program is offering grants of up to $20,000 for community-driven projects aimed at improving the mental, social, and emotional health of people living in remote, rural, and regional areas, with a particular focus on farming communities.
This round of funding provides a total of $290,000 to support initiatives designed to address mental wellbeing concerns. The program’s priorities include increasing mental health education to reduce stigma, fostering social connections to combat isolation, and encouraging individuals to seek help for mental health challenges.
Thanks to support from FRRR’s donor partners, grants will be available through two funding streams:
Community Wellbeing: For projects that aim to strengthen the overall mental health and wellbeing of people in rural, remote, and regional communities.
Farmers and Farming Communities: For projects specifically targeting the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and their communities.
Jill Karena, Head of Granting at FRRR, emphasized the importance of mental health support, especially in farming communities. “While Australia’s farming communities are incredibly resilient, even the strongest individuals need help from time to time,” Karena said. She highlighted the ongoing challenge of stigma surrounding mental health, but also noted that attitudes are shifting in rural areas.
“Together with our funding partners, we are supporting local groups to continue challenging and changing perceptions about mental health in remote and rural communities. We want to fund projects that encourage open conversations about mental health, support vulnerable community members, and empower farmers and others to seek help,” she added.
Community groups and not-for-profit organizations (NFPs) interested in applying must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by February 14. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to submit final applications by March 11.
This initiative represents a significant step toward enhancing mental health support and fostering a more open dialogue in Australia’s farming and rural communities.
