The purpose of this fund is to encourage community, school, social enterprise or business projects that help meet our climate change objectives and targets.
The Sustainability Fund has closed for 2024
The Sustainability Fund was open from Monday 29 July and closed at midday on Friday 30 August 2024.
The Council will make its funding decision in November 2024.
The Sustainability Fund supports projects that address the following climate change objectives and targets:
Our emission reduction targets, from a 2016/17 baseline are:
Christchurch’s main sources of greenhouse gas emissions are from transport (55%), energy used in buildings and infrastructure (18%), farming (15%), solid waste and sewage treatment (8%) and industrial gases (4%).
View previously funded projects.
The Council welcomes innovative proposals that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Christchurch or proposals that grow our resilience to the impacts of climate change, such as projects that:
The Sustainability Fund will open on 29 July 2024 and close on 30 August 2024.
The Council will make its funding decision in November 2024.
Proposals will be assessed against the following evaluation criteria.
Applications should provide specific and detailed information about how the project will address each criteria and a budget clearly showing how funds will be used.
Evaluation criteria | Key questions to consider in your application to this fund |
Relevance Alignment with the Council’s climate change objectives |
How will the project advance on the Council’s climate change objectives and targets? How will the project reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Christchurch or strengthen resilience to climate change? What is the issue or opportunity being addressed? |
Benefit The nature and scale of public good being delivered |
What is the nature and scale of the benefits to be delivered by the project? Who will benefit from this project, in what ways and by how much? Is the project supporting public good (not private gain)? What will be the estimated reduction of energy, water, waste or greenhouse gas emissions? What level of community engagement is anticipated? How will things improve for Christchurch? |
Legacy Ability to deliver ongoing benefit |
How will the project continue to deliver its benefits beyond the funding period? Does the project have enduring benefits or how can the project be self-sustaining? What will be the lasting legacy of the project? |
Deliverable The project is ready and able to be delivered |
Do you have the skills, experience, resources or support needed to successfully deliver the project and achieve its benefits? Is the project ready and able to proceed within four months of receiving funds? Can the project be completed within twelve months or by clearly defined and achievable milestones? |
Measurable Has clear measures of success |
How will you measure and report project success and share learning? What are the key metrics or indicators that will measure your impact (quantity or quality)? For example, the amount of energy, water, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions reduced; the number or perspectives of people benefiting; media exposure; photographs of improvements made; stories or information captured and shared with others. What will be the measurable, tangible outcomes achieved by the project? |
Applications will be considered by the Council in November 2024.
The Council has allocated a total of $380,000 for this Fund in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Generally, the fund will provide no more than 60% of the project costs with the remainder to come from other sources. These can include in-kind contributions, such as time or resources supplied to the project by others.
Funded projects should be ready to start within four months and be completed within twelve months. Multi-year applications can be considered provided the business case is compelling and the project plan has clear milestones and points for progress payments.
Funds can be requested for operational aspects (e.g. staff time) and for materials or equipment needed to successfully deliver the project benefits. Applications seeking to purchase equipment will need to have quotes and proof of purchase.
Organisations that are GST registered should be aware that this grant is an unconditional gift and does not attract GST. All amounts are effectively exclusive of GST, GST will not be paid.
Applicants are encouraged to approach other funds that may be more suited to specific proposals:
The following will not generally be funded:
Before funding is allocated to successful projects, applicants will be required to sign Council’s Sustainability Fund Grant Funding Agreement [PDF, 927 KB].
Depending on the specific project, changes may be needed to this agreement at the sole discretion of Council.
If you receive a grant from Christchurch City Council, you are required to provide reporting. This is a condition of the Community grants terms and conditions [PDF, 30 KB](external link) that you agree to before receiving a grant.
You are required to spend the grant as per the resolution on the funding agreement. Any variation to this, not previously agreed to by Council, will mean you will have to return the money.
The same applies if you have finished your project and have not spent all of the grants, you will be required to return the unspent money.
Future funding can be withheld if reporting requirements are not met.
Online form for end-of-project reporting: End-of-project report (external link)– reporting is due when funding is spent or 13 months after the money was granted.