First Nations communities impacted by six potential new hydrogen projects in Australia have the opportunity to participate in a targeted information sharing workshop to find out what’s happening, the likely impacts, and how First Nations rights and interests may be exercised.

Traditional Owners and advocates are calling for clear pathways to include First Nations communities in the clean energy sector.

Two Elders and one CEO from flood ravaged Wujal Wujal arrived in Brisbane today to ask Ministers and energy service providers to remove the barriers to realising a 40-year community-led vision for developing a renewable energy asset to ensure reliable affordable power. 

Over 100 First Nations leaders and industry and government representatives are registered to attend the fourth roundtable in the co-design of the inaugural First Nations Clean Energy Strategy in Cairns, Queensland on 28-29 August 2023.

Despite significant energy justice issues, there is great opportunity for First Nations to play a leading role in the clean energy industry in Queensland, particularly given the scale of projects proposed.

Queensland has very strong solar resources, and also high quality and nationally competitive wind resources and there is clearly much potential for the development of clean energy projects on First Nations-titled lands. 

Download the paper here

This policy overview was drafted with assistance from Elizabeth McDonald, Director at Chalk & Behrendt  and Taryn Lane, consultant and Manager of Hepburn Community Wind Farm. 

Thanks to Hoshi Moshi for the image!

You're invited to the next roundtable feeding into the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy being held in Cairns on 28-29 August 2023.

The draft Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 sets out a bold plan for steps Queensland will take to transition to renewable energy, however it presently lacks detail about the interaction with people and communities and workers, and critically, from the First Nations Clean Energy Network perspective, the way in which Queensland’s transition plans will interact and engage with First Nations people and communities.

Download the submission here

First Nations communities, organisations, and relevant government representatives are invited to attend the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy roundtable on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 August in Cairns.

Finance and funding opportunities for the state of Queensland can be found here.

We haven't tracked them all yet, so please advise us if you know of finance or funding opportunities that could be included.

Female Founders Co-Investment Fund 

Name of program: Female Founders Co-Investment Fund

Who is it for: 

• startups and organisations

What is it for?

• to support innovative women-led startups preparing for early-stage capital raise, by planning to use the sale of shares through a new capital raise and who understand the responsibilities and legal requirements of equity funding

Who's funding it? Advance Queensland

Conditions:

• $50,000 to $200,000 (excluding GST) matched at a 1:3 ratio for a funding round led by an eligible investment entity.
• To qualify for a minimum grant of $50,000, the organisation must secure at least $150,000 in external investment

When does funding close? 30 June 2027

Learn more: Here

How do I apply? Click here

Thrive Matched Savings

Name of program: Thrived Matched Savings 

Who is it for: 

• Individuals and families

What is it for?

• tailored for individuals striving to achieve their financial goals
• offers a matched contribution of up to $500 for every dollar participants save, effectively doubling their savings.

Who's funding it? Indigenous Consumers Assistance Network (ICAN)

When does funding close? OPEN

How do I apply? Click here

Thanks to Kikki Starr for the photo!