Apply for Climate and Emergency Ready Fund (New Zealand)

Deadline: 08-Mar-2026

The Climate and Emergency Ready Fund supports community organisations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing emergency readiness, and implementing climate adaptation actions. With over $1,000,000 available, grants range from $5,000 to $175,000, enabling projects from awareness-building to long-term implementation across diverse community settings. The fund prioritizes inclusive, locally led initiatives addressing climate risks and resilience.

Climate and Emergency Ready Fund Overview

The Climate and Emergency Ready Fund is designed to empower communities to take proactive, bold action on climate change and emergency preparedness. It supports initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen local hazard readiness, and implement climate adaptation strategies to protect communities against the impacts of climate change.

The programme acknowledges that communities face diverse climate challenges and aims to provide flexible funding to accommodate varying capacities and stages of climate action.

Key Focus Areas

The fund targets three main focus areas:

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction

• Engage communities in understanding and reducing emissions

• Prioritize sectors: food systems, transport, energy, and community initiatives

• Encourage local participation in climate action planning and implementation

Emergency Readiness and Response

• Promote preparedness for natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, storms, tsunamis, volcanoes, and extreme weather events

• Strengthen community emergency plans and rapid response capabilities

• Support training, drills, and resource planning for hazard mitigation

Climate Adaptation Planning and Implementation

• Conduct community-led climate hazard and risk assessments

• Develop prioritized adaptation actions and plans

• Implement existing adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability to climate impacts

Funding Availability and Categories

The Climate and Emergency Ready Fund offers flexible funding across multiple categories:

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: up to $15,000

• Emergency Readiness and Response: up to $15,000

• Climate Adaptation Planning: up to $40,000

• Climate Adaptation Implementation: up to $175,000 over two years

• Minimum grant request: $5,000

• Applicants may apply for up to two categories per application

Total funding for this round exceeds $1,000,000, supporting projects at various stages of the climate action journey, from initial awareness to long-term adaptation implementation.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Not-for-profit and charitable organisations

• Mana whenua and Māori organisations

• Schools implementing community projects

• Neighbourhood or resident groups

• Business or social enterprise groups delivering community or public benefit

• Established organisations can act as umbrella fundholders to support unincorporated or new groups

Partnerships with other organisations and community members are strongly encouraged to enhance collaboration, reach, and impact.

Why It Matters

This fund addresses urgent climate and emergency challenges by:

• Empowering communities to reduce emissions and improve resilience

• Supporting equitable access to funding for diverse community groups

• Strengthening local capacity for hazard response and climate adaptation

• Promoting community-driven planning and implementation

How to Apply / How It Works

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Identify project focus and select one or two funding categories

2. Develop a project plan aligned with community priorities and capacity

3. Prepare budget and timeline according to funding limits

4. For climate adaptation implementation, attach existing adaptation plans

5. Submit the application through the official funding portal by the deadline

Applications are evaluated based on impact, feasibility, inclusivity, and alignment with community needs.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Clearly demonstrate community engagement and participation

• Provide realistic project timelines and budgets

• Highlight partnerships and collaborative approaches

• Include evidence of capacity to deliver project outcomes

• Ensure adaptation plans are up-to-date for implementation funding requests

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for more than two funding categories

• Submitting projects without clear community relevance

• Inadequate detail on project planning, budgeting, or partnerships

• Failing to provide existing adaptation plans for implementation projects

• Overlooking eligibility criteria for organisations or groups

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for funding?

Not-for-profit organisations, mana whenua and Māori groups, schools, resident groups, and social enterprises delivering public benefit.

How much funding can be requested?

Grants range from $5,000 to $175,000 depending on the project category and duration.

Can we apply for more than one category?

Yes, applicants can apply for up to two categories per submission.

Are partnerships required?

Partnerships are strongly encouraged to enhance project impact and reach.

Is multi-year funding available?

Yes, climate adaptation implementation projects can receive up to two years of funding.

Do we need an existing adaptation plan?

Yes, multi-year adaptation implementation projects must submit an existing adaptation plan.

What types of projects are eligible?

Projects must focus on emissions reduction, emergency readiness, or climate adaptation and be community-led.

Conclusion

The Climate and Emergency Ready Fund provides critical resources for communities to actively address climate change and disaster readiness. By supporting projects from awareness-building to adaptation implementation, the fund strengthens resilience, fosters community participation, and promotes sustainable local solutions for climate and emergency challenges.

For more information, visit Auckland Council.