The Community Climate Action Fund provides seed funding for not-for-profit climate action projects in the Whanganui district.
We aim to support the community in developing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enhance our community’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Application dates
Open: 17 October 2025
Close: 17 November 2025
Eligible projects may include:
Projects that encourage climate mitigation outcomes:
Low-carbon living
- Increasing the uptake of active transport, such as walking and cycling
- Promoting renewable energy
- Encouraging efficient use of energy, water, waste and materials
Resilient natural and food systems
- Supporting regenerative food systems and farming practices
- Enhancing ecosystem resilience through nature-based, green infrastructure solutions
Community climate readiness
- Helping communities understand, prepare for, or respond to climate change impacts. Especially for vulnerable groups.
Projects that encourage the inclusion of climate adaptation outcomes:
Community climate preparedness
- Help communities plan and get ready for floods, droughts, and other climate impacts.
- Helping communities better understand and prepare for insurance risks.
Nature-based infrastructure
- Support projects that use nature, like wetlands or planting, to manage water and protect the environment.
Inclusive risk awareness
- Fund local projects that share climate information and support vulnerable groups.
Read the guidelines(PDF, 5MB)
We have another fund available for projects aimed at minimising waste - click here to find out more.
Projects that are not eligible for funding include:
- Debt servicing or repayment
- Operational or administrative costs for an organisation or group
- Legal and medical expenses
- Activities promoting religious ministry or political purposes
- Activities intended to generate profit
- Public services that are the responsibility of central government (such as core education or primary health care)
- Physical works (such as improving community buildings) where consents or permits are required but have not yet been obtained (grants may be awarded in principle but funds will not be released until all conditions are satisfied)
- Purchasing alcohol
Who can apply
The fund is open to:
- Community organisations
- Iwi or Hapū groups
- Schools and early childhood centres
- Social enterprises
- Not-for-profit businesses
Applicants must either:
- Be a legal entity registered in New Zealand – such as an incorporated society, charitable trust, or limited liability company
- Or be an organisation or group without legal entity status that has partnered with an organisation that does have legal entity status
Applications led by government organisations will not be considered. However, partnerships with government organisations are acceptable.
How to apply
Download an application form(PDF, 78KB)
All applications must be made using the official Community Climate Action Fund form(PDF, 78KB)
You can choose one of two methods to submit your application and supporting materials.
Email the sustainable development advisor
Post to
Attn: sustainable development advisor
Whanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Whanganui 4541
For further information on this fund, email climate.change@whanganui.govt.nz
Match-funding requirement
The Community Climate Action Fund can cover up to 50% of the total proposal cost.
This support can come from showing you have 50% of the funding available, or identifying a funding partner and providing proof of that third-party funding.
Your 50% contribution may include some in-kind funding, where goods or services (rather than money) are provided.
Assessment
Whanganui District Council’s climate change advisory group – made up of Tangata Whenua and community representatives, subject matter experts and council staff – allocates the funding.
The amount granted will depend on the number of applications received. Preference will be given to Whanganui-based organisations, and projects must take place within the Whanganui district.
When evaluating projects, we consider:
- How the project empowers the community and supports the district to reduce emissions or build climate resilience
- Who benefits and how long the benefits will last
- How ready the project is for delivery
- How success will be measured and any associated risks
- What other funding is in place and whether there are alternative funding options
See Applying for the Community Climate Action Fund for more detail on the assessment criteria.
Post reporting requirements
Successful applicants must submit a report no later than one year after receiving funding. The report should include:
- A description of the project and how the funding was used
- Whether the project went ahead as planned
- An outline of the positive impacts
- Information on the level of community engagement
- A summary of the project’s success
- Any barriers or difficulties encountered
- What could be done differently next time
How much you can apply for
Each group or organisation can apply for up to $20,000 each year.
The total value of funding available for the council to allocate this year is $50,000.