Supporting women to lead sustainable land management and drought resilience: Future Drought Fund, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

The HRCPDI delivers an integrated set of activities designed to prepare communities for drought by strengthening networks, leadership, and access to expertise. Its five programme elements are complementary, ensuring both grassroots engagement and national-level coordination.

1. Community Impact Program – In 35 regions across Australia, grants of up to AUD$500,000 are awarded to lead organisations. These organisations work with local groups and residents in a co-design process to create tailored drought resilience projects. Alongside these projects, ARLF delivers leadership workshops to enhance the skills of community members.
2. Small Network Grants – Grassroots groups can access up to AUD$50,000 in funding. These grants are aimed at strengthening local networks and building stronger connections, which are critical for reducing isolation and creating mutual support systems during drought.
3. National Mentoring Program – This 12-month programme, delivered by ARLF, connects mentors with emerging leaders in drought-prone communities. Mentors provide guidance, skills, and confidence to mentees who wish to contribute to resilience building. Out of 250 participants, 159 have been women, highlighting the programme’s role in fostering women’s leadership.
4. National Learning Network – A platform that connects individuals and organisations participating in HRCPDI or previous resilience programmes. It ensures that learning and collaboration extend beyond individual projects, creating a long-term community of practice around drought preparedness.
5. National Expertise Pool – This online tool allows organisations to access specialist expertise needed to implement drought resilience activities. Experts advertise their skills on the platform, and grantees can draw on this knowledge as required.

Women’s involvement has been prioritised across these actions. More than 20 women-led or women-focused projects have been supported, amounting to AUD$730,000 in grant funding. Training, leadership workshops, and mentoring opportunities are tailored to empower women as leaders in sustainable land management (SLM) and drought resilience. For example, projects such as the one led by Mallee Sustainable Farming build networks of rural female leaders through development workshops, creating a foundation for long-term participation in decision-making.

These combined efforts address multiple dimensions of resilience. By strengthening social capital, providing financial resources, building leadership skills, and connecting communities with expertise, the HRCPDI ensures that communities are not only better prepared for drought but also more inclusive in how they manage land and resources.

The HRCPDI has already demonstrated meaningful outcomes in building drought resilience, particularly by centering women in leadership and sustainable land management.

1. Women’s empowerment and leadership development

• Over 20 projects supporting women have been funded, with more than AUD$730,000 allocated.
• The National Mentoring Program has significantly engaged women, with 159 of 250 mentees (63.6%) being female. This has strengthened confidence, skills, and leadership capacity among women in drought-affected regions.
• Projects like Mallee Sustainable Farming are cultivating a new generation of rural female leaders through personal development and leadership training.

2. Strengthened social capital and networks

• Grants to local organisations and small networks have reduced social isolation and increased community cohesion.
• By creating regular opportunities for interaction and knowledge-sharing, communities are more prepared to face drought collectively.

3. Integrated capacity building

• Leadership training workshops, mentoring, and access to expertise have created layers of resilience at both individual and institutional levels.
• The National Learning Network ensures that knowledge and experiences are shared beyond regional boundaries, fostering a national culture of preparedness.

4. Long-term resilience focus

• The initiative positions drought as a predictable challenge requiring proactive preparation, rather than reactive crisis management.
• By investing in women’s leadership and community-led projects, HRCPDI addresses both immediate and systemic barriers to resilience.

5. Challenges and future improvements

• As a relatively new programme, HRCPDI faces implementation challenges and emerging gaps. An ongoing evaluation process is examining these areas, and findings will inform the second phase beginning in 2025–26. This commitment to learning ensures continuous improvement.

Overall impact
The HRCPDI demonstrates that drought resilience is not only about technical water and land management, but also about social inclusion, leadership, and empowerment. By supporting women and fostering networks, the initiative has created pathways for more sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities across rural Australia.