Inclusive Energy Outreach Grant

The Inclusive Energy Outreach Grant is funding trusted community-based organisations who will empower communities across NSW to actively participate in the energy transition by improving energy literacy and access to trusted tools and support.
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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: From $50,000 to $500,000
  • Application opened: 22 September 2025
  • Application closed: 3 November 2025, 12:00 pm

Program objective

Program outcome

Improve energy literacy for households in vulnerable cohorts so they can make informed energy choices.

Objectives of the grant

  • To increase participation in the energy transition, particularly for vulnerable cohorts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and those in rural and regional areas.
  • To support community organisations to deliver tailored energy outreach and education initiatives that meet the unique needs of their communities.
  • To build capacity and capability of organisations to engage vulnerable cohorts in understanding and managing their energy use.
  • To deliver measurable energy outcomes in 2027 and beyond by expanding the reach and impact of energy literacy activities.
  • To foster collaboration between community organisations and government to ensure consistent, accessible, and culturally appropriate energy messaging.

This program is administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Eligibility

Who can apply

  • Community groups and organisations.
  • NSW local councils or council groups.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community groups.
  • Small business associations.
  • Regional alliances or networks.
  • Not-for-profit organisations.
  • Peak bodies or sector leaders.
  • Organisations with trusted networks and capacity to engage vulnerable households.

Who the grant is targeted towards

  • Low-income households and social support recipients.
  • Seniors and people with health/disability needs.
  • Renters (especially low-income and private tenants).
  • Families with children.
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • Regional and remote communities.
  • People in homes with poor energy efficiency or limited agency.
  • People just above eligibility thresholds (hidden vulnerability).
  • People with employment insecurity.

Types of projects funded under this grant

  • Delivering face-to-face community engagement (e.g. ‘bring your bill’ days, energy advice stalls).
  • Providing energy literacy education through workshops, events, or home visits.
  • Developing and distributing multilingual or culturally tailored resources.
  • Engaging vulnerable households with targeted support.
  • Partnering with councils, community groups, or small business networks.
  • Working with diverse communities and vulnerable households to improve energy efficiency.
  • Developing tailored tools or resources to support long-term outreach and education.
  • Designing regional or sector-wide outreach and literacy strategies (for larger projects).

When the project can start and end

The project must be completed by 11 June 2027.

Outcomes for projects funded under this grant

To improve energy literacy for households in vulnerable cohorts so they can make informed energy choices. By,  

  • Increasing participation in the energy transition, particularly for vulnerable cohorts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and those in rural and regional areas.
  • Supporting community organisations to deliver tailored energy outreach and education initiatives that meet the unique needs of their communities.
  • Building capacity and capability of organisations to engage vulnerable cohorts in understanding and managing their energy use.
  • Delivering measurable energy outcomes in 2027 and beyond by expanding the reach and impact of energy literacy activities.
  • Fostering collaboration between community organisations and government to ensure consistent, accessible, and culturally appropriate energy messaging.

Who can’t apply

  • Individuals and sole traders (to ensure projects are community led and delivered by organisations with sufficient capacity).
  • State and federal government departments and associated entities.
  • Businesses with annual turnover above $10 million or more than 20 full-time equivalent employees.
  • Energy product suppliers and retailers.
  • Organisations that:
    • are subject to a winding up order or administration
    • have a pending or ongoing legal case threatening viability
    • are bankrupt.

What costs you can't apply for

  • Capital expenditure or ongoing operational costs.
  • Maintenance and ongoing costs.
  • Reimbursement of expenses already incurred.
  • Covering existing debts or budget deficits of the organisation.
  • Activities that are delivered outside NSW and do not benefit NSW communities.

Types of projects not funded under this grant

  • Broad awareness campaigns or activities only focusing on creating communication materials (e.g., factsheets) without direct community engagement. In isolation, these campaigns do not involve direct engagement with communities.
  • Activities that are business-as-usual for the organisation. Funds must be used to deliver activities that would otherwise not occur.

What co-contributions are required

An in-kind contribution refers to a non-cash contribution of goods or services that other than money. Each grantee needs to provide an in-kind contribution to support project delivery. Examples include:

  • staff time
  • venue hire
  • volunteer hours
  • use of existing resources or tools
  • access to existing networks
  • co-funding (if available)

A minimum in-kind contribution of 10% of the total project value is mandatory. Higher contributions will strengthen value for money and may improve competitiveness.

Applicants should calculate in-kind contributions based on reasonable estimates. A table is provided in the application form to demonstrate contributions.

Most recent recipients

All recipients (10)

What your application needs to include

1

Prepare your application with this checklist

  1. Confirm you meet all the eligibility requirements
  2. Review our resources to guide your application
  3. Connect with our grant writing support service
  4. Complete and submit the online application form

Note: You will receive a submission confirmation email. If you don't, first check you junk and spam email folders and if you still haven't received the email, contact us at communityenergyprograms@dcceew.nsw.gov.au

2

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.

3

Address the assessment criteria

Criterion 1 - Understanding of intended beneficiaries

Criterion 2 – Project design

Criterion 3 – Budget and resource allocation

Criterion 4 – Applicant capacity and capability

Criterion 5 – Project impact

Start the application

All applications must be submitted electronically through this portal by the due date. A complete application includes:

  • applicant details including ABN
  • a detailed project description
  • total project cost with a detailed budget breakdown
  • evidence of in-kind contribution. 

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 Homes Branch, Consumer Energy Division

Stage 1: Eligibility assessment 

All applications will first be assessed for eligibility against the criteria. All criteria must be fulfilled to advance to the Merit assessment

Stage 2: Merit assessment

All applications will be assessed competitively, both against the criteria above and against other applicants.  

  • The Assessment Committee will check the proposed project against the Merit Criteria and determine an overall score.
  • The Assessment Committee will rank each application based on the overall score.
  • Based on the final rankings, the Assessment Committee will make recommendations to the program manager regarding which projects should be approved and funded.

Stage 3: Decision making

  • The Assessment Committee's recommendations will be sent to the Director, Community and Homes Branch for approval.
  • The Director, Community and Homes Branch is the delegated decision maker and their decision is final in all matters, including the:
    • approval of applications for funding
    • amount of funding awarded
    • terms and conditions of funding.

Stage 4: Notification of assessment outcome

  • The department will notify you of the results of the application process via the Grants Management System
  • If successful, we will send you a funding deed to review and sign. 

Anticipated assessment outcome date is 31/01/2026

Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 27/02/2026

Support and contact

Nicola Goulstone

Inclusive Energy Outreach Team

communityenergyprograms@dcceew.nsw.gov.au 

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