Call for Applications: Community Climate Action Fund (New Zealand)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The New Plymouth District Council is inviting not-for-profit groups, mana whenua trusts, schools, and research institutes to apply for funding through the Community Climate Action Fund. The fund supports community-led projects that contribute to climate action, emissions reduction, climate adaptation, and community resilience across the New Plymouth District. A total of $75,000 is available each year, with no set funding limit per application. The program is designed to empower local communities and institutions to take meaningful action toward a sustainable, net zero emissions, and climate-resilient future.

About the Community Climate Action Fund

The Community Climate Action Fund was established by the New Plymouth District Council to support the district’s transition toward a sustainable and climate-resilient future. The fund recognizes the role that local communities, schools, research institutions, and mana whenua organizations can play in addressing climate change. It therefore supports community-led initiatives that can deliver practical climate benefits within the district. Projects may focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing communities for climate impacts, strengthening local resilience, improving climate knowledge, or investigating solutions relevant to the New Plymouth District. How Much Funding Is Available? The fund provides $75,000 in funding each year. There is no set limit per application, allowing applicants to request funding appropriate to the scale and requirements of their proposed project. Applicants should demonstrate how their project contributes to the fund’s climate objectives and provides meaningful benefits within the New Plymouth District. What Projects Can Be Funded? The Community Climate Action Fund supports a broad range of climate-focused activities.

Eligible projects can address:

- Greenhouse gas emissions reduction. - Climate adaptation and community resilience. - Climate-related education and behaviour change. - Upskilling and capacity building. - Research and investigations related to emissions reduction or climate adaptation. Projects should have a clear connection to climate action and be relevant to the New Plymouth District. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Projects The fund supports initiatives designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Examples of eligible activities include:

- Renewable energy projects - Micro-grids - Electrification - Energy efficiency initiatives - Sustainable transport - Low-energy homes These activities can help communities reduce energy-related emissions and support the district’s transition toward a net zero emissions future. Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience Projects do not have to focus solely on emissions reduction. The fund also supports initiatives that help communities prepare for and respond to climate impacts.

Examples include:

- Community emergency preparedness - Resilient local food systems - Water resilience - Natural ecosystem restoration These projects can strengthen local capacity to cope with climate-related challenges while improving resilience across the wider community. Climate Education and Behaviour Change The fund also supports activities that help communities understand climate change and take practical action. Eligible activities can include climate-related education, behaviour change initiatives, and upskilling. Such projects can help build knowledge and capabilities that encourage longer-term climate action within communities and institutions. Research and Investigations Research institutes and other eligible organizations can seek support for research or investigations into emissions reduction or climate adaptation. Research activities should be relevant to the New Plymouth District and contribute to understanding or addressing local climate challenges. Priority Areas While the fund supports a broad range of climate initiatives, priority will be given to projects that provide additional community value. Priority will be given to projects that: - Support mana whenua priorities. - Address youth priorities. - Respond to the needs of communities vulnerable to climate impacts. - Provide long-term benefits. - Deliver catalytic benefits that can encourage wider or lasting change. - Achieve both emissions reduction and climate adaptation outcomes for the wider community. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their proposed project contributes to these priority areas where applicable. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants must be located and operating within the New Plymouth District.

The fund is open to:

- Not-for-profit community groups - Mana whenua trusts - Schools - Research institutes These organizations and institutions can apply for projects that align with the fund’s climate objectives. Who Is Not Eligible? The following applicants are not eligible: - Individuals - For-profit organisations Projects may also be considered ineligible if they fall outside the fund’s intended purpose. What Projects Are Ineligible? Projects must directly align with the objectives of the Community Climate Action Fund. The fund does not support projects that: - Duplicate existing Council services - Fit within other Council funding schemes - Do not align with the fund’s climate objectives Applicants should therefore ensure that their proposal has a clear and distinct climate focus and does not duplicate services or activities already supported through other Council mechanisms. How to Develop a Strong Application Applicants should clearly explain the climate challenge their project is addressing and how the proposed activities will create meaningful benefits within the New Plymouth District.

A strong proposal should demonstrate:

- The project’s connection to climate action. - How the project will contribute to emissions reduction, adaptation, resilience, or relevant climate research. - The community or institutional need being addressed. - How the project will benefit the