The Regional Solutions Programme is an innovative Federal Government initiative helping regional and rural communities find local solutions to local challenges. Regional Solutions is based on flexibility and the belief that the one size fits all approach is not the answer for capacity building in regional Australia. Projects funded under the Regional Solutions Programme are run by the community, for the community. The Programme primarily aims to work with rural and regional communities facing economic challenges, a declining population due to industry restructuring, a lack of development opportunities, or high levels of unemployment and social disadvantage. The Regional Solutions Programme is a direct result of the Regional Australia Summit and builds on the successful Rural Communities Programme and the Rural Plan initiative.
Funding is available for non-profit groups with strong support from their community or region.
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a contribution to the project, either financial or in-kind, and to seek support from other sources, such as State and local governments as well as the private sector. Local government bodies are also eligible to apply. There is a number of funding options under the Programme. Resourcing people to work for your community Assistance is available through the Regional Solutions Programme to help meet the cost of resourcing skilled people to improve the flow of information between the Federal Government and the community, or to coordinate the implementation of strategic plans or projects. Funding assistance for these positions is not ongoing.