The Energy Resilience Community Fund (ERCF) provides grants to community and not-for-profit organisations, local councils and small businesses to help build and strengthen community energy resilience.

Funding amount: $5k-$25k per grant 

Funding may include:

• learning and development resources, multi-media, communications and promotional campaigns to educate community members about energy and using it wisely
• resources and tools that help communities prepare for and respond to an electricity outage or reliability issue– i.e. how to prepare for and where to go during an outage or severe weather event, and what support services are available in their local area
• short courses or programs on maintaining energy resilience equipment such as generators
• allocation for specialists to deliver energy education or resilience programs.

Please note:  Projects must be located or delivered within their electricity distribution area.

Funded projects must be located within our electricity distribution area, and clearly improve or increase community energy resilience for their communities. To check if your project falls within their network visit the Find your energy distributor website.

Eligible organisations include:

• councils in AusNet’s electricity distribution network for projects within our electricity distribution network
• small businesses and regional peaks and chambers
• community and charitable organisations including social enterprises
• community energy foundations
• sole traders may apply with a valid ABN and an annual turnover of $10m or less
• applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to deliver the project within the specified budget and timeframe
• organisations do not need to have DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) or TCC (Tax Concession Charity) status to apply Please refer to individual grant streams for specific eligibility
• if your organisation is not based in our electricity distribution network but delivers community energy resilience projects within our network, you may be eligible. Please speak with the ERCF manager before submitting an application. 

• Phone: 0499 781 580
• Email: ERCF@ausnetservices.com.au