Suncorp is funding a $200,000 round of grants for communities in NSW and South-East Queensland impacted by severe flooding in March as part of a $1 million initiative to encourage remote, rural and regional communities in Australia to rebuild more resiliently in preparation for future disasters.

The first round is open to applicants until September 15 and offers individual grants of up to $15,000 to local community groups and not-for-profits focused on supporting the long-term recovery and resilience-building of flood-impacted communities.

Successful applicants will be revealed in November.

“I’ve seen firsthand the devastation and emotional toll of natural disasters, which is why we are supporting affected communities to not just build back but to make themselves more resilient than before,” CEO Steve Johnston said.

The recovery process continues for years after people are back in their homes and communities are “best placed to steer their own future,” he said.

Suncorp’s Rebuilding Futures grants, a partnership with Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), empowers locals to come together to identify and design local solutions, Mr Johnston says.