Disaster Risk Reduction Grants

The 2023-24 Disaster Risk Reduction Grants will focus on two eligible activity streams:

• Stream 1: Aboriginal disaster risk reduction projects (Applications now closed)
• Stream 2: Short -term (3-9 months) disaster risk reduction projects (Applications now closed)

$2 million is available for allocation across both project streams.

Stream 1: Aboriginal disaster risk reduction initiatives that support enhanced disaster preparedness, response and recovery for Aboriginal individuals, communities, or businesses. For example:

• improving community engagement/communication protocols, to recognise and integrate traditional knowledge and practices into disaster management planning.
• ensuring effective disaster management and resilience for Aboriginal  communities with a focus on flood mitigation, community engagement and vulnerability assessment.
• understanding and improving Aboriginal involvement, input and investment in building community-led disaster resilience.
• enhancing cultural heritage preservation in areas at risk of being affected (whether directly or indirectly) by a future natural hazard.
• strategies to preserve or apply traditional ecological knowledge to land management practices.

Stream 1 Notes:

• Applications are not limited to the examples listed above.
• It is essential that applicant’s are / or partner with Aboriginal businesses or Aboriginal communities/representatives.
• Projects should be designed to start from January 2024 and must be completed by no later than March 2025.

Useful Stream 1 links:

• Disaster Risk Reduction Grant Guidelines - STREAM 1
• Example Stream 1 application form

Stream 2: Short-term (3-9 months) disaster risk reduction projects. For example:

• Projects that align investment decisions with hazard risk mitigation plans and strategies at local, state, regional and national levels.
• Initiatives that build strategic capacity, inject innovation or transform practices to proactively reduce disaster risk and limit the impacts of disasters on communities and economies.
• Development of a business case or feasibility study that recommends key disaster mitigation activities for future improvement (including investigation, modelling, concept, and detailed design activities).
• Development of local/regional/state hazard mitigation plans or resilience strategies.
• Initiative aligned with the Second National Action Plan's Outcome and National Actions to implement the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework Priorities.

Stream 2 Notes:

• Applications are not limited to the examples listed above.
• Projects funded under this stream will only be approved for a project length of 3-9 months. Applications should be designed to start from February 2024 and must be completed by no later than October 2024.
• The Stream 2 Assessment Panel may prioritise applications from the states' Hazard Risk Reduction Leaders for preparedness activities relevant to their identified hazard.

Useful Stream 2 Links:

• Disaster Risk Reduction Grant Guidelines - Stream 2
• Example Stream 2 application form

Both Stream 1 and Stream 2 initiatives must demonstrate alignment to priority outcomes of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework.  

In addition to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework, priority will be given to projects that demonstrate alignment or consideration of the following:

• The National Strategy for Disaster Resilience (2011)
• Stronger Together, South Australia’s Disaster Resilience Strategy (2019-24)
• SA Government Climate Change Actions
• The Second National Action Plan
• Cross-agency and cross-sector partnerships and collaboration

Additional funding conditions

Projects may be fully funded through grant funds (cash) however applicants must demonstrate a minimum cash or in-kind contribution to support the project (as per the Co-contribution Requirements listed in the stream guidelines).

Activities considered ineligible for funding are those that:

• reimburse works/measures already undertaken before an application has been lodged.
• duplicate existing activities or responsibility, unless the submission is to develop or pilot a new initiative or scale up a model that has proven to be successful.
• support recovery initiatives/activities that would ordinarily be eligible for support under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018.  This includes restoration or reconstruction of roads and reinstatement of infrastructure affected by an emergency event.
• purchase localised or ad hoc equipment, for example Farm Fire Units, sprinkler systems, and/or emergency vehicles/trailers.
• are already fully funded by other means and will not achieve additional outcomes.

For further information about either stream, please contact the SAFECOM Grants Team on (08) 8115 3927 or email: safecom.grantsadministration@eso.sa.gov.au