Community Zero Emissions Grants Program

The Community Zero Emissions Grants Program funds projects carried out by eligible not-for-profit organisations and individuals that support the ACT’s transition to net zero emissions and/or increase community resilience to climate change impacts.

Applications for funding in 2024 are now open.

About the program

The Community Zero Emissions Grants Program supports the ACT's transition to a net zero emissions future.

Between 2021 and 2025, $600,000 is available to eligible not-for-profit organisations and individuals for community projects that seek to reduce emissions, and/or increase community resilience to climate impacts and inspire change.

Between 2017 and 2021, $550,000 was available under the Program for projects that helped lower our carbon footprint and increase community resilience by raising awareness, providing solutions and/or supporting our transition to net zero emissions.

How to apply

Applications for the current round of funding are open until 5:00 pm Thursday 4 April 2024.

You will need to submit your application through SmartyGrants - the Directorate's online grants management system. If you are a new user, you will need to create a free SmartyGrants account.

Read the Community Zero Emissions Grants Guidelines 2024 [453.0 KB] and join the online information session for more details.

Who can take part

The program is open to applicants in the ACT who:

  • are not-for-profit community groups
  • are individuals and non-incorporated groups with an incorporated community organisation sponsor (auspicing organisation)
  • have an active ABN and public liability insurance.

Cost

It is free to submit an application.

Previous funding rounds

Round 6 projects

In 2023-24, six projects received a total of $155,219.83 with the funding announced on 16 May 2023:

  • The Canberra Environment Centre received $49,799 to support the delivery of a targeted climate resilience education program with new multimedia resources and a podcast series.
  • Asthma Australia received $39,500 to strengthen community resilience through funding of the ACT public health campaign component of AirSmart – a program which aims to improve health outcomes for people impacted by poor air quality.
  • St Clare’s College received $20,000 to develop a paddock-to-plate vegetable garden and implement a holistic approach to school wide waste management which will help reduce food waste emissions.
  • Canberra City Farm received $8,020 to help purchase an onsite composting shredder to support the expansion of their community composting program which will help reduce both transport and food emissions.
  • The Australian National University received $22,280 to establish a worm farm within their Thrive Kitchen Garden Program and develop a series of educational workshops on the benefits of vermicomposting.
  • The Food Co-operative Shop received $15,621 to upscale their sustainable-living community education programs and upgrade appliances from gas to electric for a zero-emissions kitchen and increasing community resilience.

Round 5 projects

In 2022-23, six projects received a total of $155,823.50, with the funding announced on 11 May 2022:

  • The Canberra Environment Centre received $49,612 for a climate resilience education program.
  • The Conservation Council ACT Region received $43,265 for a community engagement campaign to encourage Canberrans to switch off gas.
  • Lyneham High School received $4,512.50 for a variety of sustainability initiatives including installing compost and recycling bins, a ride-to-school-day and tree plantings.
  • SEE Change received $24,878 for Roving Regenerators - a series of workshops and gardening projects that focus on soil health.
  • The National Film Academy received $28,000 for Electric Dreams - a documentary series about the technologies that people and businesses in the ACT community are embracing in the transition to zero emissions transport.
  • Pedal Power ACT received $5,556 to digitise The Canberra Cyclist publication - a quarterly members magazine that promotes the benefits of cycling.

Round 4 projects

In 2020-21, five successful projects received a total of $127,424, with the funding announced on 28 August 2020:

  • The Conservation Council ACT Region and the Canberra Environment Centre received $39,572 for 'Make the Move’ to help people in the workplace make sustainable transport choices.
  • The Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) ACT Branch received $24,940 for 'Zero Emissions, Go Electric' to show the benefits of EVs at public events.
  • Localjinni received $24,923 for its Dynamo mobile-projector festival to show the economic and health benefits of ebikes, and car and bike-sharing schemes.
  • Rebus Theatre Inc received $19,000 for 'Inner Climate' to explore psychological, social and political issues in lowering carbon emissions.
  • Liz Lea Dance received $18,989 for 'And...Breathe', a short film about net zero emissions by 2045.

Round 3 projects

In 2019-20, seven successful projects received a total of $159,985.50, with the funding announced on 27 September 2019:

  • Australian Dance Party Limited received $24,952 for 'Move to Zero 2.0: It's Electrifying' to show easy ways to reduce emissions through transport.
  • SEE-Change received $24,985 to run short film competition and festival, Future Film, for young people.
  • Conservation Council ACT Region received $24,620 for 'Make the Switch' to help home owners move from gas to electricity.
  • Canberra Environment Centre received $24,403.50 for the Canberra Community Recyclery where volunteers service and repair bikes.
  • JT Clay received $11,765 for 'The Carbon Diet' to show how to lower your carbon footprint by 75%.
  • The Hackett Compost Collective received $24,260 to install a community composter.
  • Pre POWER ONE Co-op received $25,000 to get people involved in renewable electricity generation.

Round 2 projects

In 2018-19, six successful projects in Round 2 received a total of $142,586.55 in funding:

  • Better Renting Limited received $24,875.55 for 'Home Truths' to help renters make their homes more energy efficient.
  • Canberra Environment Centre received $24,680 for 'Accessible Sustainable Living Resources for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities in Canberra' to translate information about sustainable behaviour into Mandarin and simplified Chinese.
  • APVI - Australian PV Institute Limited received $23,531 for 'SunSPot' to map urban ACT's solar potential to help people make better decisions about installations.
  • Woden SEE-Change Incorporated received $24,000 to transform the Canberra City Farm into a low energy super shed.
  • Mental Health Foundation ACT received $20,750 for 'More awareness - less waste' workshops to show people living with a mental illness and their carers how to reduce household waste.
  • Brindabella Christian Education Limited received $24,750 for 'Solar Tree' to feed solar energy into their grid and power a video learning display, provide charting stations, and night lighting.

Round 1 projects

In 2017-18, five successful projects in Round 1 received a total of $117,910 in funding:

  • Australian Dance Party received $21,550 for 'Moving to ZERO', a short film to change perceptions and behaviour of the ACT community about zero emissions targets.
  • Canberra Environment Centre received $24,200 for the Canberra Community Compost project to collect organic kitchen waste and compost the Acton Community Garden.
  • SEE-Change received $22,160 for a sustainable home demonstration project to teach the community about a zero emissions lifestyle in the ACT.
  • climateXchange on behalf of The Neighbourhood Effect Canberra received $25,000 for 'The Neighbourhood Effect Canberra' app and website to help people to reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Oz Harvest Limited received $25,000 to expand its capacity to store and redistribute surplus food.

More information

If you would like any further information about the grants or the application process, please email EPSDDCommunityGrants@act.gov.au or call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

You can also visit grants.act.gov.au to learn more about ACT Government grants.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.