REMOTE, rural and regional communities are being encouraged to embrace new technologies and digital solutions, with grants of up to $10,000 available through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and Telstra.

The Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program invites local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) to apply for their share in $200,000 for projects that empower their community to improve digital literacy and enhance digital capabilities.

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The program aims to foster the liveability, sustainability and resilience of rural Australia by funding projects that enhance social connection, support equitable access to technology, increase cyber security, enable sustainable environmental practices or support disaster preparedness.

Loretta Willaton, Regional Australia Executive at Telstra, said that now in its third year, the program has supported almost 60 projects aimed at building digital capability in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia.

“The program has supported a range of projects, from digital literacy workshops that help people to understand their device so that they can feel safe to use the technology, to improving not-for-profit operations and service delivery so that they can better support the most vulnerable.

“We have also been inspired by the innovations in information sharing and the positive impact that these new systems have had on the environmental, social and economic outcomes of communities.

“In 2025, the program will continue to support projects that embrace new technology and build digital capability to support liveable, resilient and sustainable remote, rural, regional communities across Australia,” said Ms Willaton.

Natalie Egleton, CEO at FRRR, said the Foundation is dedicated to narrowing the digital divide.

“Rural communities are great places to live. Unfortunately, the reality is that there is generally limited access to technology, education and job opportunities, meaning people find they have no choice but to move to the city, just to be able to work or go to school.

“That’s why equitable access to services, like technology and digital solutions, is so important.

“For older people it supports connection and opportunities to keep learning and be confident with digital devices.

“For younger people it supports them to live, learn and work outside of the metro regions and make these vibrant smaller towns their home.”

Applications close at 5pm AEDT on Thursday, 20 March.

Successful grants will be announced in June 2025 and applicants will have 12 months to complete the funded projects.