Community Led Climate Solutions

Gippsland Climate Change Network Incorporated used an FRRR grant to develop informative and engaging material to enhance community understanding of ‘new energy’ opportunities.

The Community Led Climate Solutions grant program supports not-for-profit organisations across remote, rural and regional Australia to drive local climate solutions that reduce emissions through education, engagement and action on:

  • Clean energy;
  • Circular economies;
  • Decarbonisation;
  • Sustainable agriculture and food systems;
  • Biodiverse ecosystems; or
  • Just transitions*.

The program is collaboratively funded by donors committed to enabling communities to address the impacts of climate change locally for positive and sustainable environmental, social and economic outcomes.

There are two streams:

  • Stream 1 Engage & Deliver Small Grants – up to $20,000; and
  • Stream 2 Scaling Grants – from $20,001 up to $75,000.

 

*Just transitions: For the purposes of this grant program, this term refers to ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economies and societies.

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Round 3 is now open

Applications close 5.00 pm VIC time (AEST) 26 June 2025

Funding announced by mid September 2025

How to apply for Community Led Climate Solutions

Please read the information on each of the four tabs below to make sure this is the right grant for your project.

If you want to explore other grant options, please go to Find Funding Now.

I have a question, who can I talk to?

If you need help with your application or have questions about the program, don’t hesitate to contact the FRRR office.

  • Jane Crane, Program Officer; or
  • Danielle Griffin, Program Manager
Confirm you are eligible to apply for this grant

To make sure this is the right grant for your community, please read the grant information detailed in the Program Guidelines below carefully. Click on each headline to reveal the detail.

Download the Program Guidelines

Community Led Climate Solutions Projects must support remote, rural and regional communities to act locally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help address the impacts of climate change for positive and sustainable environmental, social and economic outcomes.

Stream 1 Engage & Deliver grants up to $20,000 are available for a broad range of community-led initiatives that must achieve at least one of the following objectives:

  • Drive engagement, education and leadership in remote, rural and regional climate solutions;
  • Activate locally-led opportunities to advance: the clean energy transition, climate adaptation, decarbonisation, or circular economies; or
  • Support just transitions to clean energy economies to help communities thrive.

 

A small number of Stream 2 Scaling Grants between $20,001 and $75,000 will also be offered through an Expression of Interest process.
Scaling grants must do ALL the following:

  • Scale an existing locally-led project to a more mature state;
  • Directly alleviate socioeconomic disadvantage;
  • Be able to demonstrate how their project is an appropriate solution to a demonstrated risk or impact of climate change; AND
  • Improve the capacity of the local community to take an active role, or lead, in the mitigation or adaptation of climate change.

Project activity supported may include:

  • Community education and engagement in opportunities and benefits of innovative climate solutions, such as clean energy, energy efficiency and circular economy practices;
  • Community engagement in the planning and delivery of just transitions to maximise opportunities for local communities and First Nations peoples;
  • Decarbonisation and transitions to clean energy production, storage or usage that embeds community decision making and asset ownership, or creates local jobs, or addresses equity, inclusion or affordability;
  • Climate change adaptation that intersects with health, preparedness, resilience or addresses equity, inclusion or affordability;
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land and sea management practices supporting climate solutions;
  • Protection, restoration and regenerative practices for land and sea supporting climate solutions;
  • Sustainable agriculture and food production that embeds community decision making and asset ownership, or creates local jobs, or addresses equity, inclusion or affordability; and
  • Reducing, reusing and recycling waste, and implementing circular economy activities.

Yes, Community Led Climate Solutions is a national program with funding available in remote, rural and regional areas in all States and Territories.

Community Led Climate Solutions Round 3 has $650,000 available for granting nationally into remote, rural and regional Australia across two streams:

  • Stream 1 Engage & Deliver Small Grants up to $20,000 for local projects (total funding available $400,000).
  • Stream 2 Scaling Grants from $20,001 to $75,000 (total funding of $250,000 available) for projects scaling locally-led initiatives that alleviate socio-economic challenges and enable communities to thrive.

While all requests aligned to the Program Purpose will be considered, priorities for funding are outlined below:

  • Projects initiated and delivered by local community not-for-profit organisations;
  • Project activities that can deliver social or economic benefits in addition to environmental outcomes; and
  • Projects that are evidence-based, demonstrate strategic planning for sustaining program operations at the end of the grant period, and are inclusive in supporting diverse community members and stakeholders.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants seeking between $20,001 and $75,000 will need to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI), due by 5pm VIC time (AEST), 22 May 2025. This can be completed online, outlining the basic details of your project via the Apply Now tab above.

Phone support is available to help in developing your EOI. Applicants will be advised three weeks prior to the round closing if they are progressed to a full application, to enable time to develop their full applications. Full applications for Stream 1 and Stream 2 are both due at 5pm VIC time (AEST) on 26 June 2025.

A broad range of charitable projects aligned to climate solutions outcomes of reducing emissions and adapting to the changing climate are considered under this program, including:

  • Delivering, or providing activities, events, programs and services, including staff / contractor support;
  • Community resource development;
  • Local ‘climate solutions’ programs;
  • Community infrastructure projects*; and
  • Activities and resources that will strengthen ‘climate solutions mission-driven’ organisations (capability and capacity building).

*Note: Applications requesting the installation of solar panels or batteries, or community gardens must demonstrate a ‘broader community climate solutions’ impact beyond enhancing operational outcomes for the organisation.

There are several areas that we can’t fund through this program. If in doubt, please contact us.

  • Projects that support core business and areas of responsibility of Federal, State or Local Governments;
  • Ongoing core organisational operational costs (e.g. rent, utilities, regular wages, loan repayments);
  • The encouragement or advancement of sport, recreation, and social activities are not considered charitable activities under Australian law. Applications from sporting organisations need to clearly demonstrate charitable outcomes and benefit to the wider community that are above and beyond the sporting activities of the club;
  • Overseas travel and overseas projects;
  • Prizes, gifts, trophies, or awards;
  • Political lobbying;
  • Legal actions;
  • Projects that primarily benefit private business, a sole trader, or private interests; and
  • Projects solely focused on animal welfare.

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Applicant organisations must be a not-for-profit organisation with either an Incorporation Certificate and/or an ABN. If you are unsure if your organisation is a registered not-for-profit (e.g. if you are a Co-operative, Other Unincorporated Entity, Public Company or Trust), please contact FRRR;
  • Project must be for charitable purposes and offer clear public benefit;
  • Not-for-profit organisations with or without DGR endorsement are eligible;
  • Organisations can submit one application per grant round; and
  • Projects must benefit communities in remote, rural or regional Australia.

Please note, you will be considered ineligible if:

  • Application is submitted by individuals, sole traders, private or commercial businesses (as per the submitted ABN);
  • Application is submitted by an organisation that is not a legal entity (i.e. a registered not-for-profit), without the written consent of the governing / partnering body who holds the ABN / Incorporation Certificate;
  • Application is submitted without required financial information (see additional information on the second tab);
  • Overdue final report/s from any FRRR grants awarded in the previous seven years have not been acquitted (delivery organisations should check with the legal organisation to see if there are any outstanding final reports);
  • Application is for a project or activity that has already occurred / is occurring prior to the announcement of funding;
  • Application is incomplete. NOTE: Due to the volume of applications received, applications are assessed based on the documentation received at the time of application. FRRR is unlikely to follow up missing documentation after applications have been submitted.
Gather information to support your grant application

Please read the information below to support the planning and preparation of your project. It also sets out what you MUST include for your project to be considered. There are plenty of helpful resources to support you along the way.

Please contact FRRR if you have any questions about the following information.

Your grant application MUST include:

Every application needs to include an organisation that holds either an ABN or Incorporation Certificate. If your organisation doesn’t have that, FRRR may still fund the project but you need another organisation’s support, which we refer to as the ‘legal organisation’ (with your organisation being the delivery organisation). This situation often occurs when the organisation delivering the activity or project is a branch of an overarching organisation – such as a local CWA or YMCA branch. In this case, the CWA or YMCA would be the legal organisation.

Even though your organisation may complete the application (and will be doing the work), it’s the ‘legal organisation’s’ legal and financial information that needs to be provided. They also need to provide a letter of support, confirming they are willing to play this role, with a template available here for your convenience.

FRRR conducts a broad range of due diligence queries when reviewing applications, such as: reviewing current and past incorporation, DGR and ACNC status. If your organisation has happened to have their incorporation status, DGR status or ACNC status changed or ACNC registration revoked or voluntarily withdrawn, please let us know the reasons for this.

Applications from ACNC and/or unincorporated associations are required to submit their organisation’s Constitution.

Why is this important?

This program is only able to distribute funds to not-for-profit organisations with an ABN or Incorporation Certificate, and FRRR needs to know that the organisation with that ABN / Incorporation number understands and agrees to carry out their responsibilities in relation to your project, if successful.

Applications received without the requested financial information are ineligible. Providing incorrect financial information is currently the most common reason why applications are not able to be considered. On the application you must include the following information:

  • Annual Income (total income in the most recent financial year);
  • Annual expenditure (total expenses in the most recent financial year);
  • Current assets (from your financials, or bank balance minus any debts). Note: Provide a brief explanation of any large financial surplus or current assets and reasons why FRRR funds are required.

In addition you must attach the following:

  • For organisations that have audited financial reports: Attach the most recent annual audited statements;
  • For organisations that do not have an annual financial audit: Attach the most recent 12 months Income and Expenditure Statement. If you have a Balance Sheet, please also submit this;
  • For organisations less than one year old: Provide Bank Statements for the period you have been operating.

Please note: If financial documents are more than 18 months old, please provide an explanation as to why the organisation does not have more recent documents. Bank Statements are only acceptable as financial documentation if your organisation has been operating for less than one year.

Please contact us if you cannot provide required financials or you are unsure about what to provide.

Why is this important?

FRRR uses this information to understand your organisation’s financial viability and ability to manage grant funds.

You must include a project budget that clearly shows the items that FRRR grant funds would be used for and that also shows all income and expenses related to your project.

Budgets should be realistic and must add up – i.e. total expenditure must match total income.

Applicant contributions in cash or in-kind are highly regarded. Quotes or detailed rationale for items over $1,000 are required, where possible. Note: FRRR suggests costing unskilled volunteer labour at $45 per hour.

For more info on costing volunteer labour, visit: https://explore.fundingcentre.com.au/help-sheets/valuing-volunteer-labour.

Why is this important?

A clear budget helps FRRR to understand the size of your project, exactly how FRRR funds will be spent and helps demonstrate community support for your project through in-kind contributions either from your organisation or partners / community members.

Helpful resources:

FRRR strongly recommends that you provide supporting materials such as letters of support, evidence of permission from the property owner, community plans, survey results, photographs, media clips, and research reports that can show broad community support and partnerships involved in the project. For more information on supporting documentation, watch this recording.

Large documents should be referenced and explained in the application.

Please note: A requirement of this program is that a high-resolution photo (between 1MB to 10MB) must be submitted as part of the application process. The photo can be a group shot of staff or volunteers in your Community Organisation OR an action shot relevant to the project you are applying for including people. If you are successful, FRRR may utilise this photo in grant announcements and/or associated communications.

Why is this important?

FRRR seeks to fund projects that are well-supported by the broader local community, are locally-led and delivered, show good partnerships and benefit multiple parts of the community. As FRRR is not always familiar with your community, our staff consider support material as evidence toward understanding the level of community need, benefit and support.

Helpful resources:

Each application is assessed on its ability to address local priorities and benefit the broader community. A clear description of exactly what the grant funds will be used for, when and where the project will happen, who will benefit and who will be involved in delivering the project, why the project and grant funds are needed, how funds will be spent and how the activities and success of the project will be recorded, evaluated and shared.

Where possible, we encourage you to make it really clear that your organisation is ready and able to deliver the project and, if required, provide ongoing support for the initiative.

Why is this important?

FRRR needs to clearly understand your project to assess its merits. Applicants should focus on addressing the what, when, where, who, why and how of the project, as this is the best way to clearly communicate the details of the project.

A ready community is best placed to achieve the aims of your project, so during assessment, our staff look for information that tells us that good leadership, skills and awareness exist in your community to support the project now and in the future.

Helpful resources:

Need some more help?

We have a large selection of resources on our Grantseeker Resources page to help you along the way.

Submit your grant application via the Grants Gateway

Round 3 is now open.

Applications close 5pm VIC time (AEST) 26 June 2025. This includes applications for Engage & Deliver Grants, as well from those applicants who submitted an EOI for Scaling Grants and were invited to progress to a application.

Unsuccessful EOI applicants are encouraged to apply for a Stream 1: Engage & Deliver grant.

Funding announced by mid September 2025.

Please contact FRRR if you have questions about any aspect of the Grants Gateway online application form.

Apply now for up to $20,000 via Stream 1 Engage & Deliver Grants
Return to an existing application hereLogin

Helpful resources:

It is time to submit your application. If it is helpful, we recommend you download a sample copy of the application form:
Stream 1 – Applications up to $20,000.

Please read the instructions on how to use the Grants Gateway How-to Guide and have your questions answered with our Grants Gateway FAQs.

Before you submit your application via the online Grants Gateway, please ensure you have:

  • confirmed you are eligible to apply for this grant
  • provided clear information about your project
  • checked that you are an eligible legal entity
  • provided the financial information required
  • created a budget for the project
  • gathered supporting materials
  • spoken to an FRRR contact person where you were unsure of any requirement
  • gathered community support for the project
  • checked the information you are providing to make sure it is clear and relevant to the project
Community Led Climate Solutions: Definitions

FRRR recognises that this space can involve language that can be interpreted in different ways. For the purposes of this grant program, FRRR adopts the definitions listed below.

If you have any further questions, please contact Danielle Griffin, Program Manager by emailing [email protected] or free call 1800 170 020.

  • Decarbonisation refers to finding alternative ways of living and working that avoid or reduce emissions, and capture and store carbon.
  • The clean energy transition refers to the movement from fossil fuel-based energy sources to cleaner alternatives, such as renewable or lower-emissions sources of electricity, battery storage, and enhancing energy efficiency.
  • Adapting to climate change means adjustments made in response to current or expected climate change and its effects. It involves strategies or projects to adapt to changing conditions, protection of communities, and resilience against extreme weather events, changing temperatures, and rising sea levels.
  • The circular economy is an economic system where raw materials, components, and products maintain their quality and value for as long as possible. It aims to minimise waste and promote sustainability by reusing, recycling, and reducing resource consumption.
  • Regenerative practices aim to restore and improve our ecosystem, including agricultural practices.
  • Just transitions refer to ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to low-carbon and environmentally sustainable practices.

If you have significant issues accessing a stable internet connection, please contact our team to discuss an alternative way of applying:
Ph: 1800 170 020 or Email: [email protected]

“FRRR’s grant application was clearly set out, staff were friendly and helpful when I had a few questions, and the whole process was easily achievable. We are grateful for the opportunity to receive funding to improve Adavale Lane Community Centre so it can be accessed and used for the benefit of our whole community.”

Danielle Diener, Secretary – Adavale Lane Community Centre Incorporated, SRC R9

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