Submissions are now open for the Climate Action Grants to support projects working to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, activities supporting community resilience, and projects supporting an equitable transition to low-carbon living on the Kāpiti Coast.
Funding for the Climate Action Grants comes from central government’s Better Off Funding programme, which supports local government investment in the wellbeing of communities. There is no rates funding involved.
Objectives
The fund was set up with the following objectives, and initiatives must benefit the Kāpiti Coast District in one or more of:
enabling GHG emissions reduction
helping create a culture of climate change action
improving resilience in local communities
supporting an equitable transition to low-carbon living
supporting mana whenua vision and priorities in relation to these objectives.
Mana whenua vision and priorities, as outlined in the Long-term Plan 2021–41, are:
kaitiakitanga – sustaining the environment and people
ūkaipōtānga – identity
whanaungatanga – connectedness
pūkengatanga – preserving, creating, teaching and knowledge
manaakitanga – supporting each other.
Funding Information
There is $100,000 in total available in the 2024 funding round (applications close Friday 7 June). Each applicant can apply for any amount up to a maximum of $20,000.
Project Timeframes
Unless otherwise agreed, projects are expected to start within three months of approval of funding. Short-term projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving funding. Longer term projects must achieve agreed targets within 12 months of receiving funding.
Eligibility Criteria
Funding is open to iwi and hapū of the Kāpiti Coast District, neighbourhood groups of at least five households, community groups, organisations, businesses of up to 30 employees, and education institutions.
Criteria
Funding preference will be given to projects that:
align with one or more of the grant’s objectives
continue to offer benefits to the Kāpiti Coast District once grant funding has been depleted
demonstrate equity, with project benefits being accessible and relevant across multiple community demographics
show how success will be measured in relation to project aims and goals; success must be quantifiable and able to be reported back to Council.
Note that projects aiming to:
install solar power systems – are not eligible
improve energy efficiency of buildings – are unlikely to be funded, although will be assessed on a case-by-case basis
If the Climate Action Grant fund is oversubscribed, preference:
will be given to “shovel ready” projects rather than feasibility studies
may be given to projects that aim to reduce emissions associated with transport (53 percent of production-based emissions in Kāpiti come from transportation).
Applications that include or refer to te ao Māori concepts are encouraged.
The Climate Action Grants are available for:
new projects or programmes based on the Kāpiti Coast
existing local projects or programmes wanting to expand within the Kāpiti Coast
existing national or international projects or programmes wanting to establish in the Kāpiti Coast.
Projects might be in education, transport, business, technology, agriculture/horticulture, nature conservation or restoration. These are examples, and Council is also open to applications from projects in other areas.
