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New Grants announced to keep rural communities connected

Menchie Khairuddin March 2, 2023

2 min read

Community groups and NFPs can apply for up to the first round of Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program $10K.

FRRR announces the opening of the first round of the grant program with the aim to boost remote, rural and regional communities’ resilience, environmental sustainability and livability.

Telstra has committed to funding this grant program until 2025.

The annual commitment of $200,000 will make grants up to $10,000 available for not-for-profit community organisations that provide access to information, technology, education and facilities for the purpose of building both social capital and digital capability.

The new program has three goals. To foster:

Resilient communities that are well prepared and socially connected when disaster strikes with the ability to renew and recover together;
Sustainable communities that are diverse and inclusive, planning for the health, well-being, and prosperity of their people and the planet; and
Liveable communities that have the digital capability and help to equip individuals with the skills to live, learn and work in a digital society.

“At Telstra, we know how important it is to keep people connected. The last few years in particular have shown everyone the importance of connectedness within our communities,” said Loretta Willaton, Regional Australia Executive and Regional Customer Advocate at Telstra.

“Rural and regional Australia has been doing it particularly tough in recent years and so we wanted to do our part in helping the country to rebuild.”

Willaton highlighted the importance of technology and digital equipment in maintaining connection across communities and shared that the program is designed to create opportunities for a wide range of projects.

“We are open to support any kind of initiative that gives people better access to information that will enable a stronger social network, safer online interactions, or access to information for disaster preparedness or environmental sustainability,” she added.

FRRR’s Acting CEO, Sarah Matthee enthused that programs like these help people to maintain their connection to their community and play a key role in many different aspects of life in remote, rural and regional Australia.

“We’re excited to launch the first round of this new program in partnership with Telstra,” said Matthee.

“We’re looking forward to applications from community groups that are facilitating local events and community programs that support local communities learning and adapting to change – be it accessing information for disaster preparedness or better environmental practices, implementing better e-waste solutions, boosting cyber-security and much more.”

Applications for Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program close Thursday, 30 March 2023 at 5 pm AEDT. More information can be found on the FRRR website.

Potential applicants are encouraged to sign up for an online Grantseeker Webinar for more information about the program and useful tips for applying at 12 pm AEDT, Monday 6 March.

Menchie Khairuddin

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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.