Deadline: 30-Nov-23
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) has announced the Community Led Climate Solutions Grant Program.
Program Purpose & Objectives
- The Community Led Climate Solutions grant program supports remote, rural and regional communities to act locally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help address the impacts of climate change for positive and sustainable environmental, social and economic outcomes.
- Grants up to $20,000 are available for a broad range of community-led initiatives that must achieve at least one of the following objectives:
- Drive engagement, education and leadership in remote, rural and regional climate solutions;
- Activate locally-led opportunities to advance: the clean energy transition, climate adaptation, decarbonisation, or circular economies;
- Support just transitions to clean energy economies to help communities thrive.
- Just transitions: For the purposes of this grant program this term refers to ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economies and societies.
Funding Priorities
- While all requests aligned to the Program Purpose will be considered, priorities for funding are outlined:
- Projects initiated and delivered by local community not-for profit organisations;
- Project activities which can deliver social or economic benefits in addition to environmental outcomes; and
- Projects that are evidenced based, demonstrate strategic planning for sustaining program operations at the end of the grant period and are inclusive in supporting diverse community members and stakeholders.
Funding Information
- The Program is commencing with committed funding of $360,000 available for remote, rural and regional communities to receive grants of up to $20,000. This may be distributed over multiple program rounds.
- $160,000 of these funds will be directed to projects for Queensland communities and $200,000 is available for projects from all other Australian States & Territories.
What can be Funded?
- A broad range of charitable projects aligned to climate solutions outcomes of reducing emissions and adapting to the changing climate are considered under this program, including:
- Delivering, or providing activities, events, programs and services, including staff/contractor support;
- Community resource development;
- Local ‘climate solutions’ programs;
- Community infrastructure projects; and
- Activities and resources that will strengthen ‘climate solutions mission driven’ organisations (capability and capacity building).
- Note: applications requesting the installation of solar panels or batteries, or community gardens must demonstrate a ‘broader community climate solutions’ impact beyond enhancing operational outcomes for the organisation.
What can’t be Funded?
- Projects that support core business and areas of responsibility of Federal, State and Local Governments;
- Applications that are solely ongoing core organisational operational costs (e.g. rent, utilities, regular wages, loan repayments);
- The encouragement or advancement of sport, recreation and social activities are not considered charitable activities under Australian law. Applications from sporting organisations need to clearly demonstrate charitable outcomes and benefit to the wider community that are above and beyond the sporting activities of the club.
Types of Projects supported
- Projects must achieve one of the program objectives listed above through activities that may include:
- Community education and engagement in opportunities and benefits of innovative climate solutions, such as clean energy, energy efficiency and circular economy practices;
- Community engagement in the planning and delivery of just transitions to maximise opportunities for local communities and First Nations peoples;
- Decarbonisation and transitions to clean energy production, storage or usage that embeds community decision making and asset ownership, or creates local jobs, or addresses equity, inclusion or affordability;
- Climate change adaptation that intersects with health, preparedness, resilience or addresses equity, inclusion or affordability;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land and sea management practices supporting climate solutions;
- Protection, restoration and regenerative practices for land and sea supporting climate solutions;
- Sustainable agriculture and food systems initiatives that embed community decision making and asset ownership, or create local jobs, or address equity, inclusion or affordability; and
- Reducing, reusing and recycling waste, and implementing circular economy activities.
Eligibility Criteria
- To apply, you must meet the following criteria:
- Applicant organisations must be a not-for-profit organisation with either an Incorporation Certificate and/or an ABN.
- Project must be for charitable purposes and offer clear public benefit;
- Not-for-profit organisations with or without DGR-1 endorsement are eligible; and
- Projects must benefit communities in remote, rural or regional Australia.
Ineligible
- You will be considered ineligible if:
- Application is submitted by individuals, sole traders, private or commercial businesses (as per the submitted ABN);
- Application is submitted by an organisation that is not a legal entity (i.e. a registered not-for-profit), without the written consent of the governing/partnering body who holds the ABN/Incorporation Certificate;
- Application is submitted without required financial information;
- Final report/s from any FRRR grants awarded in the previous seven years have not been acquitted (delivery organisations should check with legal organisation to see if there are any outstanding final reports);
- Application is for a project or activity that has already occurred/is occurring prior to the announcement of funding;
- Application is incomplete.
- Note: Due to the volume of applications received, applications are assessed based on the documentation received at the time of application. FRRR is unlikely to follow up missing documentation after applications have been submitted.
For more information, visit FRRR.