Overview

Strategies and Expectations

Key strategies for 2010-11

Encourage and support the development of networks that facilitate collaboration between RIRDC and other research and extension agencies, policy makers, practitioners, and rural communities that will enable future research needs to be identified and incorporated in annual and longer term planning for the Dynamic Rural Communities Program
Scope the R&D needed to meet the objectives of the Dynamic Rural Communities Program up to 2014 and invest in priority research in collaboration with other funding agencies
Effectively implement the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rural Development R&D Plan (2010-15), promote the Plan and outcomes from research and build co-investment in the program of activities
Effectively implement the Investing in Youth Undergraduate Studentships and build support for the program with additional sponsors for a second round for the 2011 academic year
Scope additional initiatives that will broaden the Investing in Youth initiative including research that will result in policies and actions to attract young people into careers in primary industries and to live in rural communities
Continue to sponsor the ABC's rural youth initiativeHeywire, the Rural Women's Award and the Australian Rural Leadership Program
Establish linkages between the Dynamic Rural Communities R&D Plan, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rural Development R&D program and RIRDC's sponsorship or support of the ABC's rural youth initiativeHeywire, the Rural Women's Award, the Australian Rural Leadership Program, Investing in Youth Undergraduate Studentships, and post graduate scholarships
Implement the Trees for Climate Change R&D Plan with the key external financial partners of the Program.

Expected key outputs for 2010-11

Publication of the Dynamic Rural Communities R&D Plan 2009-14
Provision of up to 10 Investing in Youth Undergraduate Studentships, including industry mentors and work placement supported by co-investment and participation of the Rural Research and Development Corporations and other stakeholder agencies
Implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rural Development R&D Plan 2010-15
A climate change Indigenous opportunities framework that can be used in future rural development research and its application that facilitates the increased participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia's rural economy
Implementation of the proposed findings of the project, Sustainable Rural Economic Development Opportunities for Indigenous People in Cape York (project completion date is June 2010)
Scoped research project on resilient rural communities, particularly for irrigation communities facing reduced water availability
Scoped research project on research to add value to the Government's roll-out of the national broadband network in rural communities
Further corporate sponsorship of the 2011 Rural Women's Award
Implementation of the Trees for Climate Change Program Five-Year R&D Plan.

Expected key outcomes for 2010-11

Networks of supportive partners and co-investors for the Dynamic Rural Communities Program with and active agenda of research projects
Investing in Youth Undergraduate Studentship holders enrolled in agricultural and related degrees for prospective careers in primary industries supported by industry mentors and work placements
Co-investment in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rural Development R&D Plan and increased awareness of economic, social and environmental opportunities for Indigenous communities and businesses
Co-investment in the Trees for Climate Change R&D Plan that complements and assists the Federal, State and Local Government's policies relating to Climate Change
Recognition of Heywire and the Rural Women's Award and associated activities as the preeminent forums for rural youth and women to have their stories heard by other Australians and for having a voice in national agendas