Objectives
The Support for Energy Education in Communitites (SEEC) programme helps lift people out of energy hardship.
Eligibility
- Funding is available to organisations that provide energy education.
- Funding is primarily allocated through a regular open process.
What this fund is for
The funding contributes to the provision of personalised, specialist advice and education to households in energy hardship, and purchasing low-cost energy-saving equipment and devices.
When funding rounds are open, eligible organisations can apply for funding to expand their capacity of existing energy education services, targeting households in energy hardship. SEEC does not fund start-up costs for the creation of new services or organisations.
Outcomes
- Return of investment of $2.21 for every $1 invested by government
- 4 funding rounds and a boost round since 2021
- $7.9m funding across 41 projects (including the boost round)
- 28,516 households reached
- 160,000+ low-cost energy-saving devices delivered
- 240+ staff trained to deliver energy education
- 630+ community events
External evaluation of SEEC
In mid-2024 MBIE, commissioned consultants MartinJenkins to conduct an external evaluation of the SEEC fund. The purpose of the evaluation was to:
- help officials gain a greater understanding of SEEC's benefits and costs by preparing a cost-benefit-analysis
- generate insights that will ensure improved delivery of future SEEC funding rounds.
The evaluation found that SEEC delivers a positive return on investment. Societal returns, including co-funding leveraged by providers, shows a $1.70 benefit for $1 invested. The returns on the Government investment only are higher at $2.21. These are conservative estimates to account for poor-quality historical data.
The evaluation found that SEEC activities:
- deliver unique value in their own right
- generate additional referrals that would not have otherwise happened (for example to the Healthy Homes Initiative and Warmer Kiwi Homes).
The evaluation provides valuable insights and direction that helps:
- target future SEEC funding to better support households in energy hardship
- achieve a significantly higher return of investment.
EECA officials are now considering the evaluation and its key recommendations:
- Develop a strategic long-term plan for delivering SEEC funding.
- Optimise the return on investment by targeting funding to a smaller number of proven providers, who demonstrate that their delivery model is aligned with the success factors described in the evaluation report.
- Improve monitoring and reporting.
Funding round 2023/24 funded projects
A total of $2.72m was allocated across 21 projects in 2024. These projects are currently being delivered across the motu. This funding round aimed to support more projects that targeted Māori and Pacific households.
SEEC Programme 2023/2024 funding round recipients [PDF 38 KB]
Past SEEC funding round details
Contact
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