NSW Community Energy Activation Program (CEAP)

Purpose and Program Overview

The Community Energy Activation Program (CEAP) is a NSW Government competitive grant initiative designed to support community energy organisations and eligible not-for-profit entities, helping NSW households and communities better manage their energy use and costs. With a total funding pool of $5 million, the program provides grants to scale local, community-led activities that offer trusted guidance, connect residents to energy-saving products and services, and increase participation in existing NSW energy efficiency programs.

CEAP aims to reduce barriers that prevent households from accessing energy‑saving solutions, improve awareness and uptake of rebates and support schemes, and deliver measurable outcomes such as lower energy bills and reduced emissions across New South Wales. By backing capable community energy organisations, the program strengthens local capacity to support the renewable energy transition. It delivers practical cost‑of‑living relief, especially for households relying on trusted local advice and tailored energy solutions.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Minimum $150,000 and maximum $600,000 per project.
• Total funding pool: $5 million across the program.
• Application close date: 16 February 2026, 5:00 pm (NSW local time).
• Application open date: Current round open as of late January 2026 (refer to program site for any updates or changes).
• Eligible industries or business types: Australian‑based not‑for‑profit organisations and community energy groups that support households or communities in NSW to manage energy use.
• Required co‑contributions: Minimum 10% co‑contribution towards total project cost, which can be provided as cash or in‑kind.​
• Location/state applicability: Projects must be delivered in New South Wales and directly benefit NSW households and communities.
• Program administrator: NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).​

Priority Sectors

• The CEAP primarily targets community energy organisations and not‑for‑profit bodies that support households and communities with energy management, energy efficiency and participation in renewable and distributed energy initiatives.
• The guidelines do not list narrow industry sectors (such as specific NAICS/ANZSIC codes); instead, the program is open to a broad range of community energy and not‑for‑profit organisations whose projects align with the program’s energy, emissions and consumer outcomes objectives.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts: Grants from $150,000 up to $600,000 per eligible project.
• Funding structure/streams: The program funds initiatives that deliver community engagement, energy guidance, and tools or services that connect households to energy‑saving products and services; while not formally divided into named “streams”, eligible activity types include education and outreach, guidance services, and partnership/capacity‑building initiatives.
• Project timeline or duration: Projects must be planned with clear scope, milestones, timelines and outcomes within the funding period specified in the program guidelines; applicants must show how activities and benefits can continue beyond the grant period through capability uplift and partnerships.
• Funding model: Competitive, merit‑based grants, with funding awarded to projects that best meet program objectives, demonstrate strong merit, and provide value for money within the available budget.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant type:
  • Australian‑based not‑for‑profit organisations.
  • Community energy organisations and groups that support households or communities in NSW to manage their energy use.
• Legal and financial status:
  • Must hold an ABN.
  • Must be a legal entity that is financially solvent and capable of entering into a funding agreement with the NSW Government.​
• Location:
  • Activities must be delivered within NSW and provide direct benefits to NSW households and communities.
• Compliance and governance:
  • Must comply with program guidelines, NSW Government grant policies and any applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Must be able to manage project delivery, reporting and acquittal obligations.
• Co‑contribution:
  • Must provide at least 10% co‑contribution (cash and/or in‑kind) towards the total project cost and disclose all other funding sources.​
• Partnerships:
  • Partnerships are encouraged, but the lead applicant must meet all eligibility requirements and will be the contracting party.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Typical eligible activities and expenses include:

• Community engagement and education initiatives, such as workshops, information sessions and outreach at community events (for example, P&C meetings, Rotary or other local group events) that provide practical energy guidance.
• One‑on‑one or group energy guidance to households and community members on topics including energy efficiency upgrades, electrification, virtual power plants, microgrids and energy‑saving products and services.
• Development, deployment or scaling of tools, services or initiatives that connect consumers to energy‑saving products and services, including tailored solutions that match consumer needs and budgets.
• Partnership and capacity‑building activities, including forming or strengthening collaborations with councils, community groups or local service providers, and working with consultants or partners to upskill staff and volunteers so activities can continue beyond the funding period.​
• Project management, monitoring and evaluation activities that support the delivery of measurable outcomes such as participants reached, engagement levels, energy savings or emissions reductions, within the program’s eligible cost categories.​

Applicants should confirm specific eligible and ineligible costs (for example, staff time, travel, communications, overheads and capital items) in the official guidelines before preparing budgets.

Assessment Process

• Assessment type: The Community Energy Activation Program is a competitive, merit‑based grants program; applications are assessed against published criteria and ranked within the available budget.
• Key evaluation criteria include:
  • Project alignment with program objectives: contribution to reducing barriers to energy‑saving products and services, supporting and scaling community‑led initiatives, improving awareness and uptake of existing programs, and delivering measurable benefits (bill savings, emissions reductions, increased consumer capability).
  • Project design and delivery: clarity of scope, objectives, timeline, activities, milestones, target audiences and expected outcomes.​
  • Budget and resource allocation: appropriateness of budget, demonstration of a minimum 10% co‑contribution, and evidence that resources are sufficient and efficiently allocated.​
  • Outcomes and impact: how the initiative will increase consumer capability, support long‑term behaviour change, connect with NSW Government programs and deliver real‑world outcomes for NSW communities.​
• The Community Energy Activation Program guidelines note that incomplete or late applications will not be accepted, and that funding decisions are at the discretion of the NSW Government.

Recent Program Updates

• The current CEAP round reflects a $5 million funding pool with grants between $150,000 and $600,000, with applications closing 16 February 2026.
• Recent NSW Government announcements emphasise CEAP’s role in providing cost‑of‑living relief and supporting the renewable energy transition by empowering community energy organisations to deliver practical local initiatives.
• Applicants should refer to the latest program guidelines and online updates for any revisions to eligibility, assessment criteria, funding caps or key dates before lodging an application.

Application Tips

• Review the official CEAP guidelines carefully to confirm organisational eligibility, project fit, funding rules, and timeframes before investing resources in a full application.
• Map the proposed project directly against the stated program objectives and assessment criteria, clearly demonstrating how activities will reduce barriers to energy‑saving products and services, support and scale community‑led initiatives, and deliver measurable consumer benefits.
• Prepare core documentation in advance, including a concise project description, milestones, delivery plan, risk management approach, letters of support, partnership agreements, and a detailed budget that clearly shows at least 10% co‑contribution and all other funding sources.​
• Use evidence and realistic assumptions to quantify expected outcomes where possible (for example, number of households engaged, anticipated bill savings or emissions reductions), and explain how results will be measured and reported over the project period.​
• Clearly articulate organisational capability, governance and relevant experience delivering similar community energy or engagement projects to demonstrate that the project can be delivered on time, on budget and in compliance with government requirements.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact a specialist advisory service to discuss project ideas, review draft responses and strengthen the project logic, budget and risk management approach in line with CEAP guidelines and NSW Government expectations. For official guidelines, application forms, checklists, templates and the latest program updates, applicants should visit the NSW Community Energy Activation Program pages on the NSW Government and Energy NSW websites, as well as other relevant NSW and Australian government resources.