Auckland Council has opened applications for the next round of Auckland Climate Grants, which aim to enable communities to lead the way in addressing climate disruption.
The grant programme supports local communities to upscale their actions for climate and empower collective action by providing financial support for initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience to climate impacts, and support Māori-led responses to climate disruption.
Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of the Planning, Environment, and Parks Committee, emphasises the importance of community-led climate action.
“The Auckland Climate Grant programme is a vital tool in empowering our communities to take charge of their future. By supporting grassroots initiatives, we can foster innovation and resilience at a local level, ensuring every Aucklander can contribute to collective efforts against climate change,” Councillor Hills says.“I encourage groups that are taking climate action to apply for funding assistance to help with this important work.”
The programme offers two types of funding: Response Grants and Strategic Grants, each tailored to different scales of impact and community engagement.
Response Grants (ranging from $1,000 to $15,000) are aimed at fostering community participation in climate action, particularly among priority communities such as Māori and Pacific peoples.
These grants are ideal for groups that are new to climate action or are rapidly building capacity in climate response. Projects funded through Response Grants will seek to either initiate or amplify existing community-led climate initiatives.
Strategic Grants (ranging from $15,000 to $50,000) are designed for larger projects that align with one or more priority themes: transport, food, energy, or Māori-led initiatives.
These grants are designed to support programmes with tangible and measurable emissions reduction or resilience outcomes. Projects previously supported have included a bike train, youth climate action initiatives, community e-bike trials and a seniors for climate action network.
Over $500,000 will be available for allocation through the Auckland Climate Grant programme. Funding decisions for the first round of Response Grants are expected in November 2024, with Strategic Grants decisions due by December 2024.
Auckland Transport will also provide additional funding for sustainable transport projects through the Auckland Climate Grants and response rounds. Groups that are interested in working with their community on transport choices are encouraged to apply for project funding.
The grant application period for both funding categories opens on 19 August 2024 and close on 23 September 2024.
For more information on how to apply, including the detailed application assessment criteria, as well as on projects that were previously supported, and grant workshops, please visit the Live Lightly website.
Let’s work together to create a more sustainable and resilient Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland.
