Community Led Climate Solutions

Supports not-for-profit organisations across remote, rural and regional Australia to drive local climate solutions that reduce emissions through education, engagement and action.

Emissions can be reduced via:
- Clean energy
- Circular economies
- Decarbonisation
- Sustainable agriculture and food systems
- Biodiverse ecosystems
- Just transitions (ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economies and societies).

The program is collaboratively funded by donors committed to enabling communities to address the impacts of climate change locally for positive and sustainable environmental, social and economic outcomes.

There are two streams:
- Stream 1 Engage & Deliver Small Grants – up to $20,000
- Stream 2 Scaling Grants – from $20,001 up to $75,000.

Community Led Climate Solutions Projects must support 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.

Stream 1 Engage & Deliver 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.

A small number of Stream 2 Scaling Grants between $20,001 and $75,000 will also be offered through an Expression of Interest process. Scaling grants must do ALL the following:
- Scale an existing locally-led project to a more mature state
- Directly alleviate socioeconomic disadvantage
- Be able to demonstrate how their project is an appropriate solution to a demonstrated risk or impact of climate change
- Improve the capacity of the local community to take an active role, or lead, in the mitigation or adaptation of climate change.

Project activity supported 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 production that embeds community decision making and asset ownership, or creates local jobs, or addresses equity, inclusion or affordability
- Reducing, reusing and recycling waste, and implementing circular economy activities.

While all requests aligned to the Program Purpose will be considered, priorities for funding are outlined below:
- 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
- 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.

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
- Activities and resources that will strengthen ‘climate solutions mission driven’ organisations (capability and capacity building).

Supports not-for-profit organisations across remote, rural and regional Australia to drive local climate solutions that reduce emissions through education, engagement and action.

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 endorsement are eligible;
- Organisations can submit one application per grant round; and
- Projects must benefit communities in remote, rural or regional Australia.