This project aimed to establish community lead producer groups which aid in the peer-to-peer learning and support.

The project began with the exploration of what groups are existing within the region and understanding best practice and ways of working through comprehensive interviews with key providers across the region with the findings guiding the project. It found that most successful groups formed for a united need, require ways to acquire funding and/or help with access to support and in some cases to give increased voice/credibility and keep running by having a key person who is an integral part of the community to organise, communicate and facilitate the group. It was also critical that members could see some benefit to themselves and their business and that social support and peer to peer learning were a huge part of why groups are so important and successful.

This project made a significant contribution to improving communication, social connection and collaboration within and between rural communities – critical foundations for building resilience to future droughts.

Building capacity by increasing knowledge and understanding of drought preparedness strategies of agricultural leaders, who play a central role in facilitating change within their communities, was a key focus on this project. Targeted professional development through the Providers for Peer-to-Peer (P4P2P) group have upskilled these individuals while proving a stronger professional network through facilitation training and peer-learning workshops.

The establishment of a Rural Women’s Group allowed the formation of new social connections and the opportunity to exchange ideas and insights in life on the land for women in remote and regional communities.

A total of 188 participants engaged in other capacity building activities, which included a Bonnie Doone bus trip, Friday arvo with Sam & Blake, a Regenerative Ag afternoon and a Legume field day. These events allowed producers to come together in a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, listen to new ideas all while increasing social connectedness.

This increased social capital is now visibly leading to collaboration in practice: producers helping each other, sharing knowledge, and applying drought-resilient strategies learned through the project.