Improving energy efficiency practices and technologies in the community

The Powering Communities Program provides each of the 151 Federal electorates with $67,700 to fund small projects. These projects aim to assist community organisations improve their energy efficiency practices and lower their energy bills. Federal Members of Parliament (MPs) identify potential projects and invite applications from their electorate.

The Powering Communities Program will run over 2021–2022. It provides grants to not-for-profit community organisations to improve their energy efficiency practices and technologies. This aims to reduce energy use, improve energy productivity and reduce carbon emissions.

The program will assist organisations to:

• upgrade equipment to reduce energy consumption
• undertake energy management activities and assessments, such as energy systems  assessments and feasibility studies
• invest in energy monitoring and management systems
• invest in on-site renewable energy and solar-connected batteries.

The grant amount will be up to 100% of eligible project expenditure. Grants will be between $5,000 and $12,000. You must fund any expenditure over the grant amount they are awarded. You should complete your project by 30 June 2022.  

Become an invited organisation

Community consultation is a critical element of the program. In consultation with their community, each MP must identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate and invite them to apply for a grant. Invited applications will be assessed against the program’s eligibility criteria through a closed non-competitive process.

Each electorate has total funding of up to $67,700 that can be allocated to successful applications. A maximum of 12 projects will be funded in each electorate.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible you must:

• be invited to apply by your MP
• have an Australian business number (ABN)

You must also be one of the following incorporated entities:

• an incorporated not for profit organisation
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust with responsibility for a community asset or property

Incorporated not-for-profit organisations can include:

• incorporated associations
• non-distributing co-operatives
• companies limited by a guarantee
• Indigenous corporations
• religious organisations incorporated under legislation.

How do you apply?

In consultation with their community, each MP must identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate and invite them to apply for a grant.
If your local MP invites you to apply, you will receive the link to the online application form in an email.

Read the grant opportunity guidelines before you apply. The guidelines provide detailed information on the grant opportunity, including:

• grant activity objectives
• eligibility criteria
• the assessment processes
• reporting and acquittal requirements.

After you apply you will be able to view your application online in the grant portal. You will also have the option to get a copy of your complete application.