Local governments in Queensland are invited to apply for their share of the State Government’s $2 million rural capacity building fund.

Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin announced on Tuesday that round one of the $2 million Building Rural Communities Fund was now open.

The fund will provide one-off grants of up to $10,000 for projects that will improve the economic, social, cultural and environmental capacity of communities in rural Queensland.

Mr Mulherin said eligible organisations must be either a local government entity, not-for-profit organisation or a regional and remote area development organisation.

“I call on all eligible organisations to apply for the very first round of the Building Rural Communities Fund, which will remain open until 7 December 2010,” he said in a statement.

“The funding seeks to build the capacity of rural and remote communities across the state to help create a more sustainable future.”

Mr Mulherin said communities in Blueprint for the Bush regions are eligible to apply for up to $10,000 to implement projects that “improve the economic, social and cultural capacity of their communities”.

He said this includes programs that attract investment and skilled workers; environmental management activities; plans for development of local sporting facilities or to engage volunteers; and events that celebrate a cultural or community milestone.

The projects must directly benefit a Blueprint for the Bush community.

“The Blueprint for the Bush includes communities outside South-East Queensland excluding the major regional centres, communities west of the Great Dividing Range, small communities east of the range, and those in Cape York and Torres Strait,” Mr Mulherin said.

“Under round one, projects must also align with at least one of the four Blueprint for the Bush goals – Sustainability, Liveability, Prosperity and Service Delivery.

“To ensure regional needs are taken into account, the six RDA Committees outside South East Queensland will also play a vital role with a representative on the relevant regional assessment panel.”

For more information visit www.regions.qld.gov.au.