The purpose of these grants is to support complex, multi-year advocacy projects, put forward by a group of organisations aiming to collaborate and drive energy systems change. Collaborative research projects will involve working with advocates and other stakeholders and will include an advocacy outcome.
Collaboration Grants are typically multi-year and ambitious, recognising that pathways to success are negotiated and developed over time. Applicants will have already come together in a collaboration before lodging an application, understanding that systems change is rarely enacted by a single organisation.
The composition of your team matters for this grant. Between the multiple organisations that are part of the collaboration you will need to demonstrate a coalition that has organisational capability, as well as connections with decision-makers and networks.
Collaboration Grants will be asked to develop a Theory of Change with key stakeholders (see below).
Examples
- Building a coalition to ensure access and affordability are considered in energy market transition
- Advocates working closely with market bodies and government on post-2025 market design
When can I apply?
Collaboration Grants are open for applications from 1 February, 2022. Applications can be made at any time from that date.
How do I apply?
As a first step, you will be asked to provide an Expression of Interest outlining:
- The problem you are trying to solve,
- Who the relevant decision-makers are,
- Why you see an opportunity for change, and
- Why your organization can achieve results – the capability you bring to the project (e.g. expertise, networks, resources, evidence base).
ECA’s leadership team will consider the Expression of Interest, in line with the guidelines approved by the ECA Board.
All EOIs will be published on ECA’s website. All EOIs are also provided to the ECA Board at its next meeting.
Successful applicants will proceed to the next stage, to develop a Theory of Change through a facilitated workshop with key stakeholders, including ECA. The Theory of Change must make clear the outcome being sought, the preconditions for change and how you intend to impact these preconditions for change. You will also need to undertake stakeholder analysis to identify potential allies and obstacles and how you will engage with others.
Where projects are longer than one year, gateway reviews will be needed at appropriate stages to ensure that the project is ready to proceed to the next stage of implementation.
Organisations who have already developed a robust Theory of Change may be invited to proceed directly to a full application, for consideration by the ECA Board.
Once it’s deemed ready, an application will be provided to the Board at the next meeting.
How will my application be assessed?
The Expression of Interest should:
- Describe the problem consumers are facing
- Outline coalition partners
- Describe the preconditions for change, and their potential impact on those matters
- Demonstrate why their coalition of organizations is uniquely placed to achieve results
- Outline the substantive organisational commitment to the project by coalition members.
The report from the facilitated workshop to develop your Theory of Change should demonstrate how the proposed methodology supports the intended outcomes, and value for money – that the benefits will outweigh the cost.
The full application incorporates the above, and includes how the project will assess impact.
What’s a Theory of Change and why do I need one?
Collaboration Grant applicants must develop a Theory of Change as part of their application.
This established methodology is commonly used by not-for-profits and changemakers to map how specific activities will lead from a declared intention to deliver intended impact.
Energy Consumers Australia uses the Theory of Change across our own advocacy and change-making activities. We have found this to be a powerful and productive way of making sure projects move beyond goal stage, via a clear and achievable set of processes, towards a deliverable and measurable impact.
Don’t worry if you’re not expert at working in this way. We’ll work with you, inviting you to a workshop where you can develop your Theory of Change alongside other project stakeholders.
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