Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $150,000 to $600,000
- Application opened: 27 November 2025
- Application closes: 16 February 2026, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The program aims to:
- Reduce barriers for the community to access energy-saving products and services
- Support and scale community-led initiatives
- Improve awareness and uptake of existing financial support and energy efficiency programs
- Deliver measurable benefits - lower energy bills, reduced emissions, and protect the community against future electricity cost increases.
This program is administered by The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible applicants must be one of the following:
- an Australian based not-for-profit organisation (NFP), established with the purpose or mandate to advocate on behalf of household energy consumers and/or to promote consumer energy benefit through community energy initiatives. This includes:
- recognised peak bodies
- social enterprises registered as not-for-profits within Australia, or
- research organisations with a public purpose.
- a Community Energy Group, meaning an organisation whose purpose includes initiating or implementing community energy projects, independently, or in partnership with others.
Collaborative applications are encouraged.
Two or more organisations can partner to deliver a project. One organisation (‘lead applicant’) must apply on behalf of all partners and will enter into a funding agreement with the NSW Government.
All applicants must:
- hold an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be a legal entity capable of entering into a legally binding funding agreement
- be financially solvent (this will be verified as part of eligibility checks)
- deliver activities within NSW that directly and exclusively benefit NSW energy consumers
- hold a current Public Liability Insurance policy of at least $20 million.
Note: Any individual or entity - whether internal staff or volunteers, externally engaged personnel, or recruited contractors - intending to conduct consumer guidance or recommendation activities must:
- Be appropriately equipped and authorised to deliver such guidance and recommendations, with access to personnel possessing sufficient expertise to do so competently; and
- Hold a current Professional Indemnity Insurance policy (with an amount not less than $5 million with respect to any one claim) and have suitable risk mitigation strategies in place.
(Refer to section 1.5 of the program guidelines for further details.)
Who the grant is targeted towards
The CEAP supports community energy organisations and not-for-profit groups that help households and communities across NSW take control of their energy use.
Funded projects should deliver direct benefits to local consumers by:
- connecting them with trusted energy guidance and support
- linking them to NSW Government rebates, incentives and programs.
These projects help communities become better informed, reduce energy costs, and actively participate in the renewable energy transition.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Funding is available for projects that educate, empower and connect NSW communities with energy-saving opportunities. Eligible activities may include:
1. Community education and engagement
- Running energy education sessions, information stalls or workshops at local community events, e.g. Parent and Citizen Associations, Rotary, Probus clubs, garden clubs, council events, etc.
Note: logistical costs such as catering, hall hire or transport are capped at 10% of the total grant
- Adapting or extending existing energy education/guidance initiatives to engage new and diverse audiences
- Developing and sharing tailored resources that address local needs or barriers to participation.
2. Expert guidance and support
Providing one-on-one or group energy guidance on topics such as energy efficiency upgrades, electrification, virtual power plants and microgrids. Additional eligibility criteria apply to this activity (see program guidelines)
3. Partnerships and capacity building
- Forming or strengthening partnerships with councils, community groups or local service providers to expand reach and impact.
- Working with consultants or partners to upskill staff and volunteers, ensuring knowledge transfer so the work can continue beyond the funding period.
- Developing a service, tool or initiative that helps consumers access energy-saving products and services tailored to their needs and budgets.
Funding can be used on:
- suitably experienced staff or consultants to deliver funded activities, particularly where they bring specialist knowledge or skills that enhance the organisation’s capacity.
- producing communication materials approved by the NSW Government to support outreach activities, including design, printing and publication costs (funding limitations apply).
- supporting renewable energy-related initiatives that would not otherwise occur without the funding for this program or expand existing efforts to a wider audience.
- Up to 150 km of motor vehicle travel may be covered by the grant; any travel exceeding this distance requires prior approval from the department. The amount claimed must align with the rates and record-keeping requirements set by Revenue NSW, as outlined at Motor vehicle allowances and payroll tax | Revenue NSW. This applies to motor vehicle travel only (not air or rail) and excludes any accommodation or meal costs.
Note: Funding does not cover capital purchases or installation, but it can be used to support the negotiation and formalisation of arrangements that enable consumers to access these solutions in ways that suit their needs and budgets.
When the project can start and end
Successful applicants must deliver their projects within the timeframe of May 2026 to April 2029. All funded activities must be completed within this timeframe, as outlined in the funding deed.
The project should be started by 1 May 2026 and the project must be completed by 30 April 2029.
Who can’t apply
The following are not eligible to apply:
- individuals, sole traders or businesses
- local councils
- government agencies
- energy product suppliers and retailers
- organisations deemed financially insolvent
- unincorporated associations
- organisations that do not operate in NSW or are based overseas.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Funding cannot be used for:
- broad awareness campaigns or materials without direct community engagement
- activities not directly linked to energy-saving outcomes or primarily related to other projects
- direct financial or service support to small businesses or commercial entities - The program is designed to support energy consumers and households, not to subsidise or provide direct assistance to commercial operations. However, applicants may engage with businesses or commercial entities where this helps facilitate lower energy costs or improved outcomes for household energy consumers.
- business-as-usual activities (e.g., staff who are not working on the project, rent or utilities)
- capital purchases or infrastructure (e.g., solar systems, batteries or appliances, bulk or otherwise)
- ongoing operational or maintenance (e.g., software licenses, lease/loan payments, vehicle expenses)
- expenses incurred before the funding deed is signed
- repayment of debts or budget deficits
- conference attendance costs, travel, or unrelated staff training
- activities that are delivered outside NSW and do not benefit NSW communities.
What co-contributions are required
Applicants must provide a minimum 10% co-contribution towards the total project cost. This can be met through a financial contribution, in-kind support, or a combination of both.
In-kind contribution to support project delivery may include:
- volunteer hours
- venue hire
- use of existing resources, equipment or tools.
Contributions must be reasonable, verifiable, valued at fair market rates and observe the cost caps noted in the program guidelines.
Providing more than the minimum 10% co-contribution may improve your application’s competitiveness and demonstrate greater value for money.
A record must be kept to verify contributions, such as:
- timesheets for volunteer hours
- receipts
- rental comparisons for space
- quotes or invoices for services.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
- Check eligibility – confirm your organisation meets all the eligibility requirements (refer to the program guidelines for more detail)
- Read the guidelines – Make sure your project aligns with program goals, funding rules and timeframe.
- Describe your project – clearly explain what you’ll do, who will benefit, and what outcomes you expect.
- Include partners – list any project partners and attach evidence of formal agreements.
- Prepare your budget – show all funding sources (except the grant amount) and include at least 10% co-contribution (cash or in-kind).
- Set success measures – outline how you'll track progress (e.g. participants reached, engagement achieved).
- Attach required documents – upload letters of support, partnership agreements, and any other required files.
- Submit on time – double-check all details and submit before the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed against five weighted criteria. Each criterion contributes to the overall merit score.
1. Understanding of intended beneficiaries (groups and individuals) - 25% weighting
You must:
- clearly identify and understand the target communities or groups, including opportunities and challenges specific to the selected beneficiaries
- demonstrate your ability to achieve outreach beyond your existing networks
- explain to what extent your organisation has strong ties to, and trust within, the local or target community you aim to support through this project
- show how your approach is tailored to beneficiary needs, including: engagement strategies and expected reach, partnerships with other related energy organisation(s) or how this complements any existing initiatives in the local area.
- provide details on how the project will engage and reach consumers (e.g. estimated numbers, cohort types, and locations)
- where relevant, explain how activities delivered to beneficiaries within any of the Renewable Energy Zones in NSW, complement existing initiatives in the area, rather than overlapping with them.
2. Project design - 20% weighting
You must:
- outline what you are delivering - education, guidance, or energy product and service solutions for your community
- describe the initiative (including whether it’s new or expanded)
- provide a clear scope, objectives, timeline, activities, milestones, and expected outcomes.
3. Budget and resource allocation - 15% weighting
You must:
- demonstrate how funds will be used to deliver the project and offer value for money
- provide a detailed budget, including:
- justification of requested funds relative to the project purpose, objectives and scope
- indicative costs including labour costs (noting the funding caps outlined in Section 1.2 of the program guidelines)
- co-contributions.
4. Applicant capacity and capability - 15% weighting
You must:
- demonstrate relevant skills or experience in deliver of similar projects
- identify delivery risks and mitigation strategies.
- provide details on:
- project team structure, roles and responsibilities
- partnerships, networks and relationships that will be leveraged to deliver the project
5. Project impact - 25% weighting
You must:
- outline how your initiative(s) will lead to increased capability of consumers to take control of their energy use, reduce bills and empower them to take action
- outline how this project will support local communities to increase their understanding of energy saving products and services available to them, and are empowered to take action to access these
- confirm how your project will connect with NSW Government programs, capture real-world outcomes, and contribute to organisational capability uplift
- explain how you will follow up with consumers to understand if they have taken steps to access or use energy-saving products or services.
- outline the number and type of consumers targeted by the proposed initiative/s, and how these will deliver meaningful outcomes
Start the application
Review the program guidelines - read the grant guidelines carefully to confirm your project is eligible and aligns with the program's purpose and outcomes.
Prepare your documents - gather all required information and supporting material such as your budget, project plan, letters of support and evidence of co-contribution).
Register or log in to SmartyGrants - create an account or log in at https://www.smartygrants.com.au to access the CEAP application form.
Complete the online form - fill out each section including project details, budget, objectives and outcomes.
Save your progress - you can save your application and return to it at any time before submission. Remember to save regularly as the system will time out after periods of inactivity.
Submit before the deadline - submit before the closing date of 5pm AEDT on 16 February 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Receive confirmation - after submission, you’ll receive a confirmation email. You can log in to your SmartyGrants account to track the status of your application.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Director Community and Home Programs, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
All applications will go through a single stage assessment process including:
- Application submitted
- Eligibility and completeness check by program team
- Merit assessment by an expert panel
- Assessment meeting and scoring/rankings confirmed
- Recommendation made to Decision Maker
- Successful and unsuccessful applicants advised
Anticipated assessment outcome date is May 2026
Support and contact
Need help with your application?
Email the program team at communityenergyprograms@dcceew.nsw.gov.au for assistance or clarification.