NSW Community Energy Activation Program (CEAP)

  • Funding up to $600,000 is available (minimum $150,000)
  • Applications open until 16 February 2026

The NSW Community Energy Activation Program (CEAP) is a competitive grant initiative designed to empower community energy organisations and not‑for‑profit entities to deliver projects that help NSW households and communities better manage their energy use. The program aims to remove barriers preventing households from accessing energy‑saving products and services, expand community‑led initiatives, and increase participation in government energy efficiency programs.

Eligible organisations can apply for funding between $150,000 and $600,000 to deliver initiatives that provide trusted, expert guidance to households, connect communities to energy‑saving tools and services, and promote informed decision‑making around energy management. Collaborative applications are encouraged, with one lead applicant responsible for the funding agreement.

Key Requirements

  • Reduce barriers to energy‑saving products and services The program seeks to ensure households and community members can more easily access practical, cost‑saving energy solutions through trusted local support networks.
  • Support and scale community‑led initiatives CEAP funds organisations that are driving locally tailored energy projects, helping scale well‑designed models that benefit broader communities.
  • Increase awareness and uptake of existing energy programs Projects should actively connect residents with government rebates, incentives, and tools supporting improved energy efficiency.
  • Deliver measurable benefits for NSW communities Initiatives must demonstrate clear outcomes such as reduced energy bills, reduced emissions, and increased control over household energy use.

 

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible activities include those that help NSW households and communities better understand, manage, and reduce their energy use.

Projects may involve:

  • community engagement initiatives
  • delivery of trusted energy guidance
  • development and deployment of tools connecting consumers to energy‑saving products and services, and the scaling or enhancement of existing community energy programs
  • Activities must provide measurable consumer benefits, support adoption of energy efficiency programs, and be delivered within NSW to directly benefit local energy consumers

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Australian‑based not‑for‑profit organisations, including peak bodies, social enterprises registered as NFPs, and research organisations with a public purpose.
  • Community Energy Groups whose purpose includes initiating or implementing community energy projects.
  • Collaborative applications allowed with one lead applicant.

Applicants must:

  • Hold an ABN
  • Be a legal entity
  • Be financially solvent
  • Deliver activities within NSW that directly benefit NSW energy consumers
  • Hold $20M Public Liability Insurance

Additional requirement for those providing guidance/recommendations:

  • Appropriate expertise
  • $5M Professional Indemnity Insurance

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.