Our climate is changing but we can work together to keep the people and places we love safe.
We are experiencing more:
- floods
- storms
- sea-level rise
- heatwaves
- droughts.
This pilot is about helping disability communities prepare for these changes.
Auckland Council is working with disabled people to support projects that make life safer and more liveable as the climate changes.
What we plan to do
We have $150,000 to fund projects designed by and for disability communities.
These projects will focus on climate adaptation. They will teach practical and creative ways to live as the climate changes.
This pilot is a partnership between:
- Auckland Council
- our implementation partners (Community Think and Juliana Carvalho)
- a grant advisory panel made up of disability community members.
What we want to achieve
Our goals:
- Help disability communities to adapt to climate disruption.
- Build skills, knowledge and leadership within disability communities.
- Build trust and strengthen relationships between Auckland Council and disability communities.
About participatory grantmaking
The pilot uses participatory grantmaking to decide what to fund.
Participatory grantmaking means that disability communities will:
- help design the grants process
- recommend projects to fund.
Benefits of participatory grantmaking
- Decisions are guided by lived experience.
- Makes funding fairer and more transparent.
- Builds trust and makes sure projects meet community needs.
Participatory grantmaking allows disabled people to shape the process and recommend which projects are funded. This is different to traditional grants where the decisions are made by funders alone.
How you can get involved
- Join the webinar in February to learn more.
- Attend a focus group in February 2026.
- Share your ideas for projects to help disability communities adapt to climate change.
- Example of possible projects include:
- making climate information more accessible
- helping disability organisations and leaders take part in planning and policy
- helping local government and other organisations better support disabled people.
- Example of possible projects include:
Focus groups
The focus groups will be held in person and on Zoom.
They will help people:
- learn more about climate adaptation
- share ideas about what disability communities need and hope for.
Participants will share project ideas that could be considered for funding. These could be plans or practical actions.
What happens next
- After collecting feedback and ideas, we will run workshops on Wed 8th April and Wed 15th April to help develop project proposals (Registration Link).
- On Wed 6th May 2026, applicants will present the proposals to the grant advisory panel.
- The grant advisory panel will review the proposals and make recommendations.
- Auckland Council will make the final funding decisions in June 2026.
- Successful projects will start after June 2026.
Grant advisory panel (GAP) members
Jade Farrar, MNZM, provides the Disability Climate Adaptation Pilot with expertise in governance and community-led funding.
Paul has worked in disability for over 30 years and has long been interested in disability and climate change.
Philip Patston is a social entrepreneur, facilitator, and Managing Director of Diversity New Zealand Ltd, with a growing focus on climate adaptation.
I am a tāngata kāpō Māori with over 15 years lived experience as a tāngata hauā and 13 years experience working and advocating within the hauā sector.
I am a Deaf person and active member of the Deaf community. I am passionate about climate action, eco-friendly living, and protecting our environment.
Tamara Grant is a Māori neurodiversity advocate and founder of XAbilities, a neurodiversity centre supporting autistic and neurodivergent people.
I’m part of the disabled community and come from a background in community education and digital engagement.
Pilot photo gallery
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