Rabo Community Fund

Rabo clients lead the Fund’s priorities

Community spirit thrives across our rural and regional townships, often driven by selfless volunteers and a 'can do' attitude. At Rabobank, we are able to tap directly into this culture thanks to our Rabo Client Councils – groups of innovative, forward-thinking clients who are our eyes and ears, helping us direct our resources to the local and industry issues where it is most needed.

Our Rabo Client Councils play a leading role prioritising initiatives, ensuring the most effective use of the Rabo Community Fund to provide practical support for our rural and ag communities.

Focus areas include building business & finance skills particularly for the next generation of farmers, succession planning support, health services (including importantly mental health), and ‘bringing the farm to the classroom’ as part of introducing ag to school curriculums.

Financial Skills Workshop South Australia

Financial Skills Workshops Southern Queensland & Northern New South Wales

Teacher Farm Experience Western Australia

South Australia & North West Victoria Client Council visit to Accolade Wines

Rabo Community Fund Spotlight: Rabo Tertiary Pathways

One of Rabo Community Fund’s inaugural initiatives has been Rabo Tertiary Pathways, a scholarship program for undergraduates at select tertiary institutions. This initiative aims to foster talent aligned with Rabobank’s vision ‘growing a better world together’ through scholarships, internships and group research work focused on topics critical to the ongoing success of agriculture globally.

The program entails a scholarship of $15,000 per year to one student from each academic institution partner – the University of New England, the University of Sydney, Charles Sturt University, the University of Adelaide, Marcus Oldham College and the University of Western Australia – plus unique opportunities to tap into Rabobank’s global network of knowledge-sharing resources and analysts.

With the first cohort of the program currently enrolled, read below on what motivated them to pursue a tertiary pathway in agriculture.

Scholarship supports Demi's sustainability quest

"The opportunities from this scholarship are invaluable, as being able to form industry contacts and gain hands-on experience prior to entering the workforce will enable me to develop both my personal and professional leadership skills."

Contributing to a future of reduced emissions

"I feel really empowered to know that I am learning and researching in an area that has such a broad reaching impact on society and the environment."

Internship helps set Luke’s path

“I believe that Rabobank will be particularly instrumental in assisting many Australian farmers and producers as they transition their businesses to more environmentally friendly and sustainable practices.”

Rabobank shares in Claire’s big picture

"I'm looking to do a research assignment that explores regenerative soil practices, focusing on areas such as erosion, no till or minimum tillage systems, or soil microbiology, and to be partnering with Rabobank is an enormous opportunity."

Pia’s pathway towards a climate solution

"I enjoy the complexities of agriculture and am passionate about the role agriculture can play in providing a solution to climate change."

Scholarship highlights ag’s diversity

"This is a huge opportunity and I am very grateful to Rabobank for the scholarship and exposure to first-hand access to RaboResearch analysts, events and site visits, which I believe is a genuine Rabobank career path experience."

Helping our rural communities thrive