The purpose of this fund is to encourage community, school, social enterprise or business projects that help meet our climate change objectives and targets.

Sustainability Fund 2025/2026

The Sustainability Fund opens at 9am on Monday 1 December and closes at midday on Friday 23 January 2026.

Please note:

  • The fund gets a large number of applicants every year, so not all eligible projects will receive funding.
  • To improve your chances, please read the guidance on what we are looking for and what we are not likely to fund.
  • You may also wish to explore other funding sources before applying. A list of options is provided under Other funds to consider.

The Sustainability Fund supports projects that address the following climate change objectives and targets:

Our objectives

  • We will meet the challenge of climate change through every means available.
  • We understand and are prepared for the ongoing impacts of climate change.
  • We all benefit from a just transition to an innovative, low-emission economy.
  • We are guardians of our natural environment and taonga.

Our targets

Our emission reduction targets, from a 2016/2017 baseline are:

  • Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (excluding methane) for Christchurch by 2045, and a 50% reduction by 2030.
  • At least a 50% reduction by 2045 of methane emissions in Christchurch, and a 25% reduction by 2030.
  • For Christchurch City Council activities to be carbon neutral by 2030.

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%). 

To align with the principles of Councils Climate Resilience Strategy, we are particularly interested in projects that:

  • Are collaborative and foster ongoing partnerships,
  • Think long term, benefiting both current and future generations,
  • Can demonstrate wider community, social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits
  • Are innovative and explore new opportunities
  • Are equitable and inclusive.

For more information on our climate change objectives, targets and areas of focus see our Climate Resilience Strategy.  

View previously funded projects.

The Council welcomes innovative proposals that address:

  • Climate mitigation – projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Christchurch
  • Climate adaptation – projects that strengthen our resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Examples include projects that:

  • Increase awareness and practical learning to help our community adopt more sustainable behaviours and practices or prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.
  • Support a rapid transition to a low-emission economy.
  • Increase walking, cycling, and other zero-emission transport options.
  • Reduce consumption, eliminate waste, or support a circular economy.
  • Encourage efficient use of resources such as energy, water, waste and materials.
  • Support a regenerative food system and reduce food waste.
  • Restore ecosystems and enhance nature-based, green infrastructure resilience solutions or capture and store carbon.

  • Community organisations, schools, social enterprises and businesses can apply to this fund.
  • Applicants must be a legal entity registered in New Zealand, such as an incorporated society, charitable trust or limited liability company.
  • Preference will be given to Christchurch-based organisations or partnerships involving Christchurch organisations.
  • Individuals seeking funds will need to partner with a legal entity and include in the application a letter from the host entity endorsing the proposed project and partnership arrangement.
  • Generally, applications led by government organisations will not be considered. However, partnerships involving government organisations are acceptable.
  • Only one application per project will be accepted in each Council financial year (July to June). Organisations may put forward more than one project in a year.
  • Applicants should have made reasonable efforts to secure funding from other sources before applying to this fund.

  • Total fund: $400,000 in 2025/2026.
  • The fund will provide no more than 60% of project costs; the rest must come from other sources (cash or in-kind).
  • The maximum amount you can apply for is $40,000.
  • Most successful projects are funded between $15,000 and $20,000.
  • There is no minimum amount you must apply for.

The following types of proposals are not likely to be funded:

  • Projects focused mainly on private benefit (e.g. household solar panels, insulation, rainwater tanks).
  • Projects that are research only, without practical community outcomes.
  • Routine operational or maintenance costs (e.g. mowing, repairs).
  • Activities that are primarily the responsibility of other funding bodies or core business.
  • BAU processes that would require sustained funding each year to maintain. This fund is primarily for new and emergent projects and programmes.

When we evaluate applications, we’re looking for projects that:

  • Align with Council’s climate objectives – reduce emissions or help Christchurch adapt to climate change.
  • Deliver clear community benefits – provide public good, not just private gain.
  • Have lasting impact – benefits continue after the funding ends.
  • Are realistic and deliverable – ready to start soon, with the right people and resources in place.
  • Show measurable outcomes – have clear ways to track and report success (e.g. emissions reduced, waste diverted, people engaged).

Applicants are encouraged to approach other funds that may be more suited to specific proposals:

Council provides a wide range of community funds(external link) for community, art and event-related projects. As some of these funds overlap with activities we would consider under the Sustainability Fund, see below for suggestions on which funds to apply for.

For planting projects 

  • Sustainability Fund – if focused on climate resilience, food resilience or carbon sequestration, particularly where wider community and long-term benefits can be demonstrated, such as including an education component.  
  • Environmental Partnerships Fund – if focused on biodiversity outcomes on public land where there is an ability to partner with Council.
  • Biodiversity Fund – if focused on biodiversity outcomes (particularly protecting areas of significant ecological value) on private land.

For waste minimisation projects

  • Sustainability Fund – projects looking at new innovative solutions, with a wide community reach, long term benefits and not BAU practices. For example, innovative recycling solutions for resale that raise awareness of solutions.
  • Canterbury Waste Minimisation Fund – wider scope of waste minimisation projects, also with a focus on innovation

For community places and events

  • Sustainability Fund – where clear focus on climate outcomes, wider community benefit (generally where education component) and for new and emergent projects and programmes as opposed to BAU practices. For example: community gardens focused on educating about resilient crops.
  • Place Partnership Fund – where focused on connecting people with places and spaces in their communities. For example: small community gardens focused on enhancing community connection to the area.
  • Strengthening Communities Fund – for BAU costs for projects supporting community wellbeing.

For waterway resilience

  • Sustainability Fund – erosion and flood resilience, particularly focused on innovation, wider community benefit and long-term reach.
  • Community Waterways Partnership Fund – wider scope of waterway management focused on community collaboration and must be in partnership with Council.

Funds to consider from other providers

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, 35 KB] 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 grant; you will be required to return the unspent money.

Future funding can be withheld if reporting requirements are not met.

End-of-project report

And end-of-project report is due when funding is spent or 13 months after the money was granted.

To complete this report, visit Smarty Grants(external link)(external link). After logging in, select My Submissions to view your applications in the system.  Select the relevant application and complete the attached end-of-project accountability form. 

If either your application or the accountability form is not there, please call 03 941 5488 or email communitygrants@ccc.govt.nz.