Clements Gap Sustainable Communities Fund

Pacific Hydro’s Clements Gap Sustainable Communities Fund shares the benefits of Clements Gap Wind Farm with the surrounding communities, providing long-lasting social, economic and environmental value that goes beyond the life of the wind farm.

From 1 – 30 April 2022, eligible community groups and not-for-profit organisations from Clements Gap, Crystal Brook, Red Hill, Port Broughton, Mundoora and Wandearah are encouraged to apply for project funding up to $10,000 from a pool of $55,000.

Since the commissioning of Clements Gap Wind Farm in 2010, the Fund has provided more than $660,000 to over 150 local sustainable projects. The Clements Gap Sustainable Communities Fund is a part of Pacific Hydro’s Community Benefit Sharing Program, which has provided more than $4.9 million to over 1000 projects across Australia since 2005.

Eligibility

The Clements Gap Sustainable Communities Fund aims to support projects, initiatives, and organisations that provide lasting benefit to local communities and address community need in at least one of these six key areas:

• Education and training
• Health and welfare
• Sport and recreation
• Arts and Culture
• The environment, and
• Projects that support the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

To be eligible, the proposed project or initiative must:

• Directly benefit the local community (in at least one of the six program areas)
• Not be for the private gain of particular individuals
• Have the support of the community (shown by endorsement from prominent members of the community, either in the form of letters or other communication supporting the project)
• Have necessary approvals and permissions in place prior to applying, such as council approval (if required)
• Meet the Community Benefit Sharing Program’s aims and objectives (see below)

Up to $10,000 can be sought from Pacific Hydro for each project. Organisations can apply for more than one project at a time, but must be able to demonstrate their ability to deliver them within twelve months.

Fund Area

The Clements Gap Sustainable Communities Fund is open to organisations and projects that serve Clements Gap, Crystal Brook, Red Hill, Port Broughton, Mundoora and Wandearah. Organisations and projects do not necessarily need to be based in the fund area, but the proposed projects must operate in, and provide benefit to these communities to be eligible.                    

Who Can Apply

Not-for-profit community groups (NFPs) which operate in the abovementioned Communities, and are proposing projects that meet the eligibility and selection criteria are encouraged to apply.

A not-for-profit organisation is an organisation that is not operating for the profit or gain (either direct or indirect) of its individual members.

Not-for-profit organisations eligible to apply to Community Funds include:

• Incorporated Associations
• Committees of Management
• Unincorporated (Voluntary) Associations with an ABN and a formal constitution
• Co-operatives (that are defined as not-for-profit in their charter or constitution)
• Companies Limited by Guarantee

Organisations that do not yet have an ABN can apply, but additional paperwork may be required if their proposed project is successful.

Read more information about who can apply in the Sustainable Communities Fund Guidelines.

Selection Criteria

Projects and initiatives considered for funding will be assessed against the selection criteria, including:

• Alignment with the Community Benefit Sharing Program aims and the Sustainable Communities Fund Guidelines
• Identification of community needs (alignment with community strategic plan)
• Demonstration of a clear, realistic, and feasible plan
• Budget outline, prices, and alternatives
• Demonstration of innovation or forward-thinking