ClosedNon-Profit
Community Energy Activation Program — NSW
$150K – $600K available
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
The Community Energy Activation Program offers $5 million in grants to New South Wales community energy groups and not-for-profits. Grants of $150,000 to $600,000 support projects that help households reduce energy bills, improve energy control, and access government rebates and incentives.
Funding
$150K – $600K
Closed
16 Feb 2026
Duration
up to 3 years
Location
New South Wales
Who Can Apply
• Applicant must be an Australian-based not-for-profit organisation with a relevant consumer energy or community energy purpose, or a Community Energy Group.
• Applicant must hold an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Applicant must be a legal entity capable of entering into a legally binding funding agreement.
• Applicant must be financially solvent.
• Applicant must deliver activities within New South Wales that directly and exclusively benefit New South Wales energy consumers.
• Applicant must hold current public liability insurance of at least $20 million.
• If conducting consumer guidance or recommendation activities, applicant must have appropriate expertise and professional indemnity insurance of at least $5 million.
• Applicant must provide a minimum 10% co-contribution, which may be cash, in-kind, or a combination.
• Collaborative applications are encouraged, with one lead applicant applying on behalf of partners.
• Individuals, sole traders, businesses, local councils, government agencies, energy product suppliers and retailers, insolvent organisations, unincorporated associations, and overseas-based or non-New South Wales organisations cannot apply.
Applicants must be either an Australian-based not-for-profit organisation established to advocate for household energy consumers or promote consumer energy benefit through community energy initiatives (including recognised peak bodies, social enterprises registered as not-for-profits in Australia, or research organisations with a public purpose), or a Community Energy Group whose purpose includes initiating or implementing community energy projects. Applicants must hold an active ABN, be a legal entity able to enter into a funding agreement, be financially solvent, deliver activities within New South Wales that directly and exclusively benefit New South Wales energy consumers, and hold public liability insurance of at least $20 million. Where consumer guidance or recommendation activities are undertaken, appropriate expertise and professional indemnity insurance of at least $5 million are required. A minimum 10% co-contribution is required. Individuals, sole traders, businesses, local councils, government agencies, energy product suppliers and retailers, insolvent organisations, unincorporated associations, and organisations that do not operate in New South Wales or are based overseas are not eligible.
What's Funded
Eligible activities include community education and engagement sessions, workshops and outreach; tailored energy information resources; one-on-one or group energy guidance on energy efficiency, electrification, virtual power plants and microgrids; partnership-building with councils and community groups; staff and volunteer upskilling; and development of services or tools that help consumers access energy-saving products and services.Before you apply
Check Community Energy Activation Program fit and evidence gaps before 16 Feb 2026
Use this non-profit grant page to sanity-check eligibility, funding fit, evidence gaps and application effort before you commit days to drafting. If you already know the grant you want, the 48-hour audit gives a practical go/no-go view, reviewer-readiness score and next-step risks.
Get a 48-hour grant fit auditExpected Outcomes
Projects are expected to reduce barriers to accessing energy-saving products and services, improve awareness and uptake of government rebates and energy efficiency programs, lower household energy bills, reduce emissions, strengthen community capability, and deliver measurable benefits to New South Wales energy consumers.Grant not accepting applications
Applications for this round are closed. A new round may open in the future.
Browse open grantsKey Information
Applicant Types
non_profitother
Stage
any
Funding Purposes
communitysustainabilitytrainingother
Keywords
community energyenergy efficiencyhousehold energy billsconsumer energy guidanceNew South Walesnot-for-profitcommunity engagementrebates
Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is the Community Energy Activation Program?
The Community Energy Activation Program is a non-profit grant offered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in Australia, providing $150K – $600K in funding. The Community Energy Activation Program offers $5 million in grants to New South Wales community energy groups and not-for-profits. Grants of $150,000 to $600,000 support projects that help households reduce energy bills, improve energy control, and access government rebates and incentives.
2
How much funding does the Community Energy Activation Program provide?
The Community Energy Activation Program provides $150K – $600K in funding. The typical project duration is up to 3 years.
3
Who is eligible for the Community Energy Activation Program?
- Applicant must be an Australian-based not-for-profit organisation with a relevant consumer energy or community energy purpose, or a Community Energy Group.
- Applicant must hold an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Applicant must be a legal entity capable of entering into a legally binding funding agreement.
- Applicant must be financially solvent.
- Applicant must deliver activities within New South Wales that directly and exclusively benefit New South Wales energy consumers.
- Applicant must hold current public liability insurance of at least $20 million.
- If conducting consumer guidance or recommendation activities, applicant must have appropriate expertise and professional indemnity insurance of at least $5 million.
- Applicant must provide a minimum 10% co-contribution, which may be cash, in-kind, or a combination.
- Collaborative applications are encouraged, with one lead applicant applying on behalf of partners.
- Individuals, sole traders, businesses, local councils, government agencies, energy product suppliers and retailers, insolvent organisations, unincorporated associations, and overseas-based or non-New South Wales organisations cannot apply.
4
When does the Community Energy Activation Program close?
Applications closed on 16 Feb 2026.
5
What activities are funded?
Eligible activities include community education and engagement sessions, workshops and outreach; tailored energy information resources; one-on-one or group energy guidance on energy efficiency, electrification, virtual power plants and microgrids; partnership-building with councils and community groups; staff and volunteer upskilling; and development of services or tools that help consumers access energy-saving products and services.
6
How do I apply for the Community Energy Activation Program?
Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.
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