Grants For Community-Led Climate Action
Our new Te Ara Urutau: Climate and Emergency Fund, as well as other grants and funding streams, empower communities across Tāmaki Makaurau to lead change.
Explore Funding Opportunities
Browse the range of grants available to support local projects, Māori-led initiatives, and community groups taking action on climate change, environmental protection, and emergency preparedness. Each fund is designed to make it easier for communities to lead practical, impactful change.
Te Ara Urutau – Climate & Emergency Ready Fund
More than $1 million is now available to help community organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau take practical climate action and strengthen emergency preparedness. The fund supports projects that reduce emissions, build resilience, and help communities adapt to climate impacts. It brings several previous grants together into one streamlined process, making it easier for groups to access support.
Local Board Grants
Local Board Grants provide funding for community-led projects that benefit local neighbourhoods across Auckland’s 21 local board areas. These grants support a wide range of activities—from events and conservation efforts to arts, culture and small infrastructure improvements—so long as they align with local priorities. Applicants can access local, quick response or multi-board funding depending on the scale of their project.
Disability-led Climate Adaptation Pilot
This pilot explores new community-led ways of funding initiatives that build climate resilience. Participatory grantmaking shares decision-making power with those most affected by climate risks, enabling the disability community to set priorities and assess proposals. This approach ensures funding reflects community knowledge and supports more equitable climate solutions grounded in lived experiences.
Auckland Climate Grant (now closed)
The Auckland Climate Grant supported community-driven projects that reduced emissions, strengthened climate adaptation and enabled Māori-led action across Tāmaki Makaurau. This grant has now been integrated into the new Te Ara Urutau – Climate & Emergency Ready Fund, but previous projects continue to highlight the impact of local, community-based climate action.
Cultural Initiatives Fund: Marae
The Cultural Initiatives Fund supports marae to remain strong, adaptable community hubs for iwi, hapū and whānau. Funding can be used for facility upgrades, community development and cultural priorities, with the option for marae to request support for energy efficiency or renewable energy initiatives that strengthen climate resilience.
Waterway Protection & Rural Water Funds
These funds assist rural landowners and community groups to improve the health of freshwater systems across priority catchments. Projects may include protecting waterways, restoring wetlands, or creating space for floodwaters, helping reduce flood risk and supporting more resilient landscapes as climate impacts intensify.
Regional Environment & Natural Heritage Grant
This grant supports conservation, restoration and environmental coordination projects that protect ecosystems and enhance biodiversity across the region. Funding helps communities improve water quality, restore natural habitats, build local capability and embed Te Ao Māori values in environmental action, creating long-term benefits for people and nature.
Waste Minimisation & Innovation Fund
This fund backs innovative projects that reduce waste to landfill and accelerate Auckland’s transition toward a circular, zero-waste future. Priority areas include organics, plastics, packaging, biosolids and textiles. Successful projects help communities cut waste, create new solutions and support behavioural change at a local level.