Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $20,000 to $1,000,000
- Application opened: 15 July 2024
- Application closed: 19 September 2024, 11:00 am
Program objective
The NSW Government has committed $10 million to the FNF through the Community and Employment Benefit Program (the Program).
The purpose of the FNF is to build capacity of Aboriginal organisations through the delivery of programs, services, infrastructure, or future planning activities that are designed to reflect local needs and provide enduring benefit for local Aboriginal communities within the Central-West Orana REZ.
Please refer to this link for a copy of the full guidelines.
The FNF Objectives are to:
- Increase capacity of local Aboriginal organisations to support the delivery of community services, participate in opportunities in the Central-West Orana REZ and access future funding opportunities;
- Improve Aboriginal employment opportunities through access to education, skills and training programs; and
- Improve outcomes for Aboriginal people by supporting better access to health services, housing and accommodation, and other cultural programs or services.
This program is administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Eligible Applicants for Stream One are limited to Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs).
Eligible Applicants for Stream Two are limited to not-for-profit, incorporated Aboriginal community organisations (i.e. initiated by, controlled and operated by Aboriginal people and/or governed by a board or committee of Aboriginal people).
All Eligible Applicants must:
- Provide evidence that they are an incorporated entity by providing either an Australian Business Number (ABN) or an Australian Company Number (ACN). Eligible organisations that are unincorporated must provide evidence that they are registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW) or another Act or partner with an eligible organisation; and
- Have or be able and willing to purchase at least $20 million public liability insurance.
Eligible Applicants are encouraged to identify potential partnerships, including partnerships across funding streams between LALCs and Aboriginal Community Organisations. In this instance, the identified lead Applicant would apply under the relevant stream.
Partnerships are eligible where the lead applicant is an Eligible Applicant and where clear public benefit can be demonstrated. If successful, the Eligible Applicant will be solely responsible for the delivery of the project and must adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in the Funding Agreement.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Projects must deliver public benefit and outcomes that contribute to the FNF Objectives. In accordance with the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 (EII Act), eligible projects must provide benefit to the relevant local community in the geographic area that forms the REZ to which the access scheme applies. A map of the geographic area is available here.
Eligible project types include:
- Infrastructure;
- Programs and services; and
- Future planning and capability activities for Aboriginal people that meet the FNF Objectives.
Refer to the Grant Guidelines for examples of eligible projects.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
From October 2024
What costs you can apply for
Eligible project costs may include those associated with:
- Constructing new or upgrading existing local Aboriginal community amenity or community service infrastructure;
- Delivery of community programs or services;
- Future planning, business cases and studies;
- Purchase of non-fixed equipment, supplies or vehicles where they are essential to deliver the broader project or program;
- Employment, skills and training programs and associated services and facilities; and/or
- Funding a position linked to delivery of projects under a LALC Community Land and Business Plan or other project, program or activity outlined in the application.
Applicants may include up to 25 per cent of the total project cost for contingency and up to 10 per cent of the total project cost for project management and administration. Design, including regulatory applications and approvals costs must be listed as administration costs.
What costs you can't apply for
Ineligible costs include:
- Costs related to buying or upgrading non–fixed equipment, supplies or vehicles such as cars, trucks and vans, unless considered essential to the overall project delivery;
- Purchase of land or buildings, unless considered essential to the overall project delivery;
- Financing, including debt financing or rental costs;
- Costs relating to depreciation of plant and equipment beyond the life of the project;
- Non-project related staff training and development costs;
- Ongoing/recurrent funding that is required beyond the stated timeframe of the project;
- Ongoing staff or operational costs beyond 3 years from project announcement for program or services, or any ongoing staff or operational costs for infrastructure projects;
- Costs relating to subsidising memberships for existing services;
- Project management or contingency costs that exceed the eligibility requirements; and/or
- Funding a position that is not linked to the project, program or activity outlined in the application.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Ineligible projects include those that:
- Are not submitted by an eligible entity;
- Are not being delivered within an eligible location;
- Are seeking retrospective funding to cover any project component that is already complete before Applicants are informed of the funding decision outcome or funding is announced;
- Are for a general works package without specific scope, costs and location;
- Are providing direct commercial and/or exclusive private benefit to an individual or business;
- Are exclusively for marketing, branding, advertising or product promotion including tourism marketing;
- Are not clearly providing benefits that will significantly contribute to the FNF Objectives or align with the EII Act or EII Regulation;
- Are the recipient of duplicate grant funding from another NSW or Commonwealth Government grant program for the same project; and/or
- Are solely for the maintenance of any infrastructure without upgrading the functionality of the infrastructure.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Part A
Applicants will need to complete Part A of the Application Form relating to eligibility.
Part B
Applicants will be notified once eligibility is confirmed and offered local, independent grant writing assistance to develop Part B (the more detailed, merit-based component of the Application Form). Applicants not requiring this assistance can complete Part B at their own discretion.
Part B application must include:
- Part B Application Form;
- Project Management Plan* (template provided);
- Budget* (with evidence of estimated costs);
- Landowner’s Consent (if applicable, template provided);
- Evidence of $20 million Public Liability Insurance (or willingness to secure); and
- Evidence of consultation and support for the project/s*.
*The level of detail provided must be proportionate to the total grant value.
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
Local Need (30%)
The project or activity must be of local need and have demonstrated community support.
Applicants must demonstrate how the project or activity will address a local need by providing:
- An analysis of what is currently being offered in the area and identification of a service gap; and
- How the project will benefit the Aboriginal community, multiple users, organisations or businesses.
Applicants will be required to provide evidence of consultation and support for the projects they submit, such as:
- Community online surveys or polls, social media interactions;
- Meeting minutes from either a board meeting or community consultation;
- A need identified in an existing community or business plan, for example a CLBP (Community Land and Business Plan); and/or
- Letters of support for the project from community or Aboriginal organisations, a community leader, council, or Members of Parliament.
Alignment with FNF Objectives (35%)
The project must demonstrate how the anticipated community benefits will directly contribute to one or more of the FNF Objectives:
- To increase capacity of local Aboriginal organisations to support the delivery of community services, participate in opportunities in the Central-West Orana REZ and access future funding opportunities;
- To improve Aboriginal employment opportunities through access to education, skills, and training programs; and/or
- To improve outcomes for Aboriginal people by supporting better access to health services, housing and accommodation, and other cultural programs or services.
Applicants must also demonstrate:
- Likely delivery of Aboriginal local procurement, job creation and skills development;
- How the project will deliver long-term benefits to the Aboriginal community; and
- Consideration of accessibility and inclusion measures.
Deliverability and affordability (35%)
The Applicant must provide a Project Management Plan that outlines project delivery within budget and timeframe requirements, with consideration of Development Approval (if required).
The Applicant must demonstrate access to the necessary capability and experience required for successful project delivery.
The Applicant must provide a detailed and realistic risk assessment.
The Applicant must provide a budget based on quotes or detailed estimates that represent value for money, including:
- Detailed cost estimates for combined project management and administration that do not exceed 10% of the total project cost;
- Estimated costs for contingency that do not exceed a maximum of 25% of the total project cost; and
- Does not require ongoing funding from the NSW Government.
The Applicant must outline the ongoing operation and/or maintenance plan for when the project is completed (where applicable).
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: EnergyCo Chief Executive
Eligibility Assessment
All applications will be assessed against the Eligibility Criteria in the Grant Guidelines on an ongoing basis. Once funding committed exceeds 80% and/or applications under merit assessment reach the total funding available, the application portal will close until assessments are completed and remaining available funding is determined. Any Applicants with an open application will be notified should this occur.
Where there is uncertainty arising from the eligibility assessment, Applicants may be requested to provide additional information to assist in making a determination. Final eligibility determinations will be made at a level not to be below Program Manager.
Applicants may be asked to provide additional information to assist in making a determination. Additional advice may be sought from other NSW Government agencies or other sources to assist in the assessment of projects. Confidentiality and probity will be maintained throughout the process.
Once eligibility is confirmed, Applicants will be notified and offered support to develop Part B. Ineligible Applicants will be notified in writing and offered a feedback session in relation to their application.
Merit Assessment
The Assessment Team will be made up of representatives from EnergyCo, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and other NSW Government agencies. All Part B applications will be assessed against the Merit Assessment Criteria outlined in the Guidelines on an approximate 6-week rolling cycle until available funding is committed.
Applicants will be notified if additional information and supporting material is required and the timeframes in which it is required. Subject matter experts and/or technical advisors may be consulted to assist in the assessment of projects. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process.
Initial applications will be assessed against the Merit Criteria, without reference to the comparative merits of other applications. Applications will be required to meet a minimum total score of 65% to be recommended for funding.
When approximately 80% of funding has been committed or the program closing date is approaching, all Applicants that have submitted Part A applications will be notified of a final assessment window to complete Part B of the application. A final Panel will be convened after that date where remaining funding will be allocated and applications will be reviewed comparatively.
Merit Assessment Criteria
Eligible applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Local need;
- Alignment with FNF Objectives; and
- Deliverability and affordability.
Support and contact
Please contact energyco@regional.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 679 673.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be viewed here.