Applications open for Enable Grant Program – Australia

Deadline: 20-Oct-23

Applications are now open for the Enable Grants Program to support non-government organisations (NGOs) in providing energy efficiency advice and activities that help reduce energy bills for Queenslanders experiencing vulnerability, including renters.

Objectives

• The Enable Grants Program aims to identify and support actions (literacy tools and/information, learning and engagement, devices or other community-based measures and interventions) directed at assisting specific housing sectors (such as households experiencing vulnerability and renters) to benefit from energy efficiency improvements.
• The program aims to achieve the following objectives:
  • Increase energy efficiency to support households experiencing vulnerability manage their energy use and reduce electricity bills.
  • Improve energy literacy for households experiencing vulnerability so they can better navigate energy matters.
  • Share benefits with all Queenslanders as part of the transition to renewable energy.
  • Build capacity for NGOs to reach households experiencing vulnerability.

Program Funding

• Under the Program, $10 million of funding is available for NGOs that can demonstrate how they can meet the program objectives.
• The total funding available to the program may be reduced at the discretion of the Department of Energy and Public Works (DEPW).
• Applicants can seek funding for grants under the following two categories:
  • Category 1: Large projects
    • For larger projects with a broad reach and high impact, NGOs are encouraged to submit a high-value proposal (for amounts between $500,000 and $1 million). These projects may include, but are not limited to, multi-faceted programs and could include activities such as home energy visits, the provision of in-home devices and partnerships with or between smaller organisations to coordinate the roll-out of activities.
  • Category 2: Small to medium projects
    • For smaller projects that include lower cost activities, NGOs are encouraged to submit proposals for amounts between $50,000 and $500,000. These projects may include, but are not limited to, activities such as translating materials to other languages or additional call centre capacity at community centres that deal with energy enquiries.
    • Applicants seeking to diverge from the suggested project amounts for large projects (between $500,000 and $1 million), and small to medium projects (between $50,000 and $500,000) will need to demonstrate exemplary merit during the selection process and clearly outline why the additional funding is required and how it contributes to achieving the Enable Grants Program objectives. Applicants may also be required to respond to further questions from the DEPW as part of the proposal assessment process.

Eligible Activities

• Successful energy efficiency projects will identify the target audience, the nature of the problem and the initiative that will address the problem. Eligible projects could include but are not limited to:
  • translations of energy advice or educational material into languages other than English, as well as accessibility formats including Auslan, Easy English/Easy Read, Braille or HTML.
  • energy efficiency information provided via brochures, pamphlets, workshops or training
  • home energy assessment webtools or other information tools
  • additional call centre capacity at community centres for energy enquiries
  • development and/or delivery of a ‘train the trainer’ model, which compliments or supports the delivery of another eligible activity under the Enable Grants Program
  • in-home displays or devices that measure real-time energy use in the home, alerting householders to usage, spikes or costs via a display or app.
  • low-cost energy kits that households can self-install
  • home energy visits to discuss energy use, bills, tips, payment and support plans
  • in-home energy assessments that provide advice on new energy technologies (e.g. heating/cooling hot water systems or refrigerators)
  • retrofits involving installing or providing minor energy savings devices such as replacement of lighting, draught sealing or window covering
  • any combination of the above.

Beneficiaries of Program

• The beneficiaries of the program will be householders experiencing vulnerability. This includes:
  • Low-income households – including concession card holders, those living in public housing, or low socio-economic areas
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD), people living with disability, seniors, individuals with severe health conditions, or those without digital literacy
  • Renters including, private renters, renters in retirement villages, caravan parks, manufactured parks or apartment blocks, or those renting under a short-term lease.
  • In the application form, the NGO will identify the beneficiaries of the proposed project and the reasons for engaging with these beneficiaries. The applicant NGO must provide information on how the project will engage the beneficiaries and the expected reach of these households (for example, numbers, cohort types and locations).

Eligibility Criteria

• The following entities are eligible to apply for a grant:
  • an Australian charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
  • a company limited by guarantee registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth)
  • an incorporated association
  • an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Commonwealth) or listed with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.
• Applicants must also meet all of the following criteria:
  • be based in Queensland or have an ongoing operation in Queensland
  • have no outstanding financial accountability, service delivery or performance issues for funding provided by the Queensland Government
  • hold, or provide plans to obtain, insurance which will cover the appropriate time period.
• The project or event/s must meet all of the following criteria:
  • be completed by 31 December 2025
  • be delivered in Queensland
  • support the purpose and objectives of the Enable Grants Program.
• Applicants will need to provide one of the following:
  • an Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • a copy of the organisation’s government-issued certification of incorporation or other incorporation documentation (e.g. constitution), to demonstrate the not-for-profit status of the entity.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following applicants are ineligible to apply for funding:
  • individuals
  • family trusts
  • statutory bodies and authorities
  • Australian government agencies
  • state government agencies (other than as a partner)
  • political parties or lobbyists
  • local government authorities (other than as a partner)
  • all schools
  • tertiary education institutions administered by Queensland and Australian governments.

For more information, visit Queensland Government.