Round 2 Of Successful Energy Education Fund Now Open
Community organisations that can deliver energy education to households in need are being invited to apply for the second funding round of the Support for Energy Education in Communities (SEEC) Programme.
“In May, $1.26 million was allocated to nine community initiatives to help struggling New Zealanders make their homes warmer, more energy efficient, and get cheaper power bills. Households are already starting to see the benefits of those initiatives and I’m excited to see the momentum continue with this second funding round opening,” says Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods.
“As part of the last funding round an initiative by Habitat for Humanity – Northern Region, 60 homes on Great Barrier Island and Waiheke Island have received ‘Winter Warmer Packs’ in the last few weeks. These packs contain items such as blankets, energy-efficient heaters, draught stoppers and information packs. Another 390 packs are being delivered to low-income households in Auckland and Northland over the coming weeks.”
$1.65 million is available in this second round, which aims to help expand the network of organisations working to empower households to lower their bills.
“We know lots of people find it tough to keep on top of their power bills, especially at this time of the year. This fund means more people will receive free, personalised advice and information about how to make meaningful energy savings around the home, like making sure they’re on the best power plan or switching to more energy-efficient appliances. Even seemingly small changes can make a big difference”.
The SEEC Fund, can be used to prepare and deliver energy material, hold hui to share information and advice, and train educators to provide personalised advice in-home or over the phone.
Applicants to the SEEC Fund can also apply to the SEEC Equipment and Devices Fund, which can be used to purchase low-cost items to supplement their advice to households.
One of the key criteria for applicants is to have established relationships with the communities they’re trying to reach so they can successfully pilot new schemes or expand existing ones.
“This programme ultimately aims to support more households that are struggling with power bills. But in the process, we’re also gaining valuable insights that will inform the development of future government policies and programmes to alleviate energy hardship,” Megan Woods said.
In total, $7.91 million will be allocated through the SEEC Programme’s regular funding rounds until 2024.
This programme complements other initiatives across government, the community and private sector that focus on making homes warmer and more energy efficient. As well as the Winter Energy Payment to assist people with their power bills.
Applications for funding close at 5pm, Friday 30 July.
For more information on the SEEC Programme, eligibility criteria and application details, visit www.mbie.govt.nz/seec.
Media contact: Jo Leavesley 021 839 835 jo.leavesley@parliament.govt.nz
Note to editors
Successful round 1 recipients:
·
‘Anglican Care Energy Poverty Programme’,
Anglican Care (Canterbury/Westland)
Providing
free in-home energy assessments and energy-efficient LED
lightbulbs to households in high deprivation areas in
Christchurch, Canterbury and Westland.
·
‘Eastern Bay of Plenty 20 Degrees Energy Hardship
Collaboration’, Sustainability Options
Limited
Expanding the existing 20 Degrees
initiative into the Eastern Bay of Plenty, and providing
energy education, monitoring and energy-saving initiatives
to households.
· ‘EnergyMate’,
Electricity Retailers’ Association of New
Zealand
Providing free, personalised
energy coaching and support through home visits and
community hui. With the Government support, EnergyMate will
expand its focus on households struggling with energy bills
or keeping their homes warm in Māori and Pasifika
communities across Aotearoa. ‘
· Fair
Energy’, Sustainability Trust
Providing
an energy efficiency and advice service to low-income
households in the Wellington region, plus free energy-saving
equipment and devices, monitoring and follow-up
support.
· ‘Healthy Home Interventions
including Winter Warmer Pack Delivery’, Habitat for
Humanity – Northern Region
Delivering
energy-efficiency programmes across the northern region and
increasing delivery of Winter Warmer Packs to help
low-income families in Greater Auckland and
Northland.
· ‘King Country Energy Hardship
Reducing Pilot Programme’, Ecobulb with King Country
Electric Power Trust
Providing free
Ecobulb LEDs and shower heads, and offering in-home energy
assessments to improve home energy efficiency in the King
Country.
· ‘Love Your Home 2021’,
Community Energy Action Charitable
Trust
Providing in-home energy checks, home
energy toolkits, community education and solutions to
improve home energy efficiency in Mid-North Canterbury and
the West Coast.
· ‘Supporting Affordable
adVice in Energy (SAVE)’, Sustainable
Taranaki
Engaging widely with regional wellbeing
organisations to provide personalised energy education and
support for changing habits, energy-saving devices; and
expanding the number and capability of trained
advisors.
· ‘Te Hīhiko Ngāpuhi’, Te
Pūtahi-nui-o-Rehua Charitable Trust
Enabling
whānau around Kaikohe marae and surrounding communities to
participate in hands-on activities as part of a marae
collective energy audit, and apply lessons to their
individual homes. Findings will be shared at the marae, and
follow-up visits to individual whare will allow further
strategies and solutions to be
implemented.