Community

This group does not make the final decisions, but will provide transparency, independence and local thinking to the process. Members will be from different backgrounds and locations.

Members will be required to provide a joint statement about the process. The role is for one year and then it is readvertised.

Successful applicants for 2026 will be informed in February 2026.  
 
Specific dates will be updated on the website, circulated by email and advertised in local newspapers and on radio. 

Meetings will occur in person or online. Food and refreshments will be provided for members. ACEREZ will provide dates and times to successful applicants.

ACEREZ values member contributions and will provide a sitting fee.

There will be five rounds of funding beginning in March 2026, with two rounds each in 2026 and 2027, and one round in 2028.

Yes, ACEREZ will provide free grant writing assistance. Our community engagement team is available to assist with enquiries. We want to support you as much as possible to provide as much benefit to your local community. We will host workshops to assist with application writing. 

Yes. You will be able to apply for further grant money if you have already exhausted original funds requested. You will need to submit a new application with updated costings and supporting information. 

Yes. Successful applicants will need to provide every six months:

• A financial summary of progress

• A summary of issues that may affect progress

• Photos of progress that can be used in ACEREZ reporting

• A description of outcomes (e.g. how people participated in the project, how investment objects have been met)

Monitoring of project progress is essential and allows ACEREZ to ensure grant monies are not misused.

If you are unable to provide a report to ACEREZ by the specified date you may lose funding or become ineligible for future funding rounds.

If you require further assistance, our community engagement team can assist. You can contact us here.

Unspent funds need to be returned to ACEREZ. This will be part of the acquittal report to be submitted in December 2028.

To ensure the benefit-sharing process is transparent and fair, ACEREZ is inviting up to four community members to form an advisory group. The aim of this group is to provide local thinking in the investment projects selected. However, this group will not be the final decision maker. ACEREZ will hold this role.

The advisory group members selected will come from a range of backgrounds and locations. Members will serve one year and positions will then be readvertised.

The following types of applications will not be considered for ACEREZ’s Community Grants:

• Applications from political groups or initiatives that have a focus on promoting politically related activities

• Applications from religious groups or initiatives that have a focus on promoting religious beliefs or activities

• Applications for initiatives or programs that promote drug and alcohol, tobacco, or other inappropriate activities

• Applications for funding to pay for wages, prizes, ongoing rental fees, ongoing utilities fees, or to cover retrospective payments

• Applications for initiatives or programs to enhance or upgrade a private/council-owned property without written consent or support from the property owner

ACEREZ reserves the right to determine whether an initiative or program is inappropriate.

ACEREZ will notify unsuccessful applicants in writing. You are able to reapply in a following funding round if you are unsuccessful. We encourage you to reach out to our community engagement team to discuss your project before reapplying.

All applications will be assessed against the criteria as set out on page 1 of the ACEREZ Community Grants Program brochure.

If your application was unsuccessful, you can reapply in the next round of funding.  We recommend meeting with the ACEREZ team to discuss your application before resubmitting.

You can make a complaint by contacting us here. We take all complaints seriously and appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us.