Climate change projects invited to apply for funding

Published on 03 July 2023

Whanganui District Council is calling for applications to its Community Climate Action Fund. The fund aims to support not-for-profit climate action projects by providing up to 50 percent of project costs. The initiative is designed to empower local residents to turn their climate action ideas into reality.

The council's climate change advisor, Caroline Arrowsmith, says the significance of the fund is important since climate change is becoming part of our daily lives.

"Climate change is becoming less abstract and more of a reality. This new fund will give local people the chance to make their climate action ideas a reality. We can already see how the projects from the first funding round are picking up momentum, so I'm really excited to see what will emerge this time around."

The fund is open to projects within the Whanganui district that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions or building community resilience to climate change impacts. Applications can focus on various areas including increasing the uptake of active transport, encouraging efficient use of resources such as energy, water and waste, and promoting renewable energy adoption.

Projects that support regenerative food and farming systems are also a focus area, along with projects that sequester carbon through forest or wetland restoration, or help to understand, prepare for, or respond to the impacts of climate change.

Groups or individuals can submit applications for one project per year, with a maximum funding limit of $20,000. The fund has an allocation of $100,000 per financial year. Funding for the Community Climate Action Fund is sourced from existing resources allocated to climate action in the council's Long-Term Plan 2021-31.

In its inaugural funding round last year, the council awarded eight grants to diverse climate change-focused community initiatives. The applicants included Sustainable Whanganui, who have several projects including Green Bikes, a predator-free Whanganui initiative, and the Fruit Trees in Schools program, Waimarie Operating Trust who are running a feasibility study to lower carbon emissions from the historic paddle steamer Waimarie, and The Eco School, who are running free home energy assessments to provide warmer and healthier homes to Whanganui residents.

In the first funding round, the council's climate change fund advisory panel – consisting of council staff, community, and Hapū representatives – made decisions based on alignment with criteria and strategic outcomes. Applicants had the opportunity to attend the panel meeting and answer questions, ensuring a transparent and inclusive selection process.

For more information about the Community Climate Action Fund and to apply, please visit: www.whanganui.govt.nz/climate-fund

Applications close at 5.00pm on Friday, 18 August 2023.