Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) – Community Investments Stream

This program aims to fund new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, or leadership and capability strengthening activities that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas. It forms part of Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) which aims to support the Australian Government's commitment to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future.

Grants of between $5,000 and $1 million are available. Applicants are required to provide a co-contribution under the following circumstances:
- For projects classified as remote or very remote, the total government funding is up to 75% of total eligible project cost.
- For projects granted exceptional circumstances exempt from a cash contribution, the total government funding is up to 100% of total eligible project cost.
- For projects with a total grant amount of equal to or less than $20,000, the total government funding is up to 100% of total eligible project cost (any level of contribution is encouraged).
- All other classifications, the total government funding is up to 50% of total eligible project cost.

Applicants can fund their contribution from any source including State, Territory and local government grants. The contribution must be cash.

Round 5 will provide $100 million for tourism-related infrastructure projects under the Infrastructure Projects Stream, and a further $100 million for other projects under the Infrastructure Projects Stream and the Community Investment Stream combined, with the allocation of funding across these streams dependent on the volume and quality of applications.

A total funding pool of $1.04 billion over seven years from 2017-18 to 2023-24 for the Building Better Regions Fund (the program).

Eligible applicants must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be one of the following incorporated entities:
- An incorporated not for profit organisation. As a not for profit organisation they must demonstrate their not for profit status through one of the following:
a) Current Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission’s (ACNC) Registration
b) State or Territory incorporated association status
c) Constitutional documents and/or Articles of Association that demonstrate the not for profit character of the organisation
- An Australian local government agency or body as defined in appendix A of the Guidelines
- Non-distributing co-operatives

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible projects must:
- Be aimed at new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, or leadership and capability strengthening activities that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.
- Comprise one of the following activities:
a) Local events
b) Strategic planning
c) Regional leadership and capability
- Not have commenced.

The project must not be located in an excluded area unless applicants can clearly demonstrate the significant benefits and employment outcomes, which flow directly into an eligible area.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of eligible activities/expenditure.

The main assessment criteria include:
- Economic benefits of the project for the region (15 points)
- Social benefits of the project for the region (15 points)
- Capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project (5 points)
- Impact of grant funding on the project (5 points)

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of the assessment criteria.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- A for-profit organisation.
- An individual, partnership or trust (however, an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a not for profit trust organisation).
- A Commonwealth, State or Territory government agency or body (including government business enterprises) with the exception of those organisations referred to in section 4.1 of the Guidelines.
- A university, technical college, school or hospital.
- A Regional Development Australia Committee.
- Existing events (that are not new to the community, or are not a significant addition to an existing event or activity).
- An event that has already received support under the BBRF program.
- Classes and training (e.g. fitness, sports, arts, language, cooking).
- Activities the organisation undertakes as part of its usual business practices and responsibilities.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of restrictions.