Our Country Our Future program revisions, 2024-26
Revisions to the Our Country Our Future (OCOF) program rolled out across 2024-26 are a key commitment arising from the National Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy 2023-28 (NILSS).
Through the Strategy – and in response to our largest ever consultation with stakeholders in 2022 – we promised we would:
- prioritise the acquisition of and access to Country for groups with limited or no access to Country.
- support the development of First Nations leadership in key sectors.
- improve our services to better deliver on the NILSS priorities and the aspirations of First Nations peoples.
- embed principles of self-determination and partnership in the way we work.
Improvements will deliver a more fit-for-purpose funding system with a greater focus on self-determination and equity for First Nations peoples.
What’s changed?
We’ve introduced:
- a new Plan funding stream for planning and capability projects
- renamed Manage and Return streams for management and acquisition projects
- a shorter application form for Plan and Manage projects under $300,000
- a more streamlined approval pathway for Plan and Manage projects under $300,000
- explicit investment priorities and funding parameters that will be provided to applicants to support greater transparency of current ILSC priorities linked to delivering the NILSS
- strengthened equity of program access, including directing applicants who do not yet meet Manage or Return capability requirements to the Plan stream
- a modified assessment process that is tailored to the value and type of project.
The modified assessment process will:
- continue to assess projects based on the degree of change they create and the outcomes they generate for First Nations peoples and communities
- preference applications which address current NILS investment priorities, namely:
- First Nations leadership in future industries - carbon and environmental markets, fisheries and aquaculture, inland water, renewables and clean energy sectors
- First Nations groups with no, or limited, access to Country
- Areas of socio-economic disadvantage
- Acquisition of water and water-related rights and interests
- consider current funding parameters.
What’s not changed?
The revised OCOF program builds on the existing program’s strengths.
We’ve broadly retained existing eligibility criteria and the ILSC’s core role as a connector, linking First Nations groups with institutions and investment partners.
Expressions of Interest (and application forms, on invitation) will continue to be accepted throughout the year.
Our staff remain on hand to field enquiries and provide advice and support.