Popular fund opens to give community groups a helping hand to better our environment
Our Waitaha Action to Impact Fund has opened for its third funding round, with community groups now invited to make an application.
The Waitaha Action to Impact Fund is a contestable fund for community organisations in Canterbury. Funding has been given out to a range of community organisations for the past two years. The fund aims to build community engagement and action for a better environment in the region and is open from today, until 12 noon on Monday 18 September 2023.
For year three, 2023/24, and as agreed in the Long-Term Plan 2021-31, we have $350,000 available for community groups to take action for the environment. Fourteen groups that made multi-year applications have already been allocated $167,558 (subject to agreed milestones being met), leaving approximately $182,000 available for new applications in 2023/24. The following year, 2024/25, will see a new planning and funding cycle begin.
In response to requests from community groups, we have allowed for multi-year allocations in the last two funding rounds, meaning that a significant proportion of this year's funding is already allocated to a variety of exciting projects across Waitaha. Multi-year funding applications will not be accepted this year.
To make an application, first check your eligibility and then complete the application form. Apply now.
What we’ve funded already
Applications totaling more than $2 million have been received in the previous two years, which demonstrates the clear need for funding of this nature. A third funding round to close out the funding cycle will mean grassroots community groups in our region are benefiting greatly and making a real and tangible impact on our environment.
In year one, 2021/2022, we received over $800,000 in funding requests and could allocate $200,000, which was the amount budgeted for that year. Councillors could see the benefit of the fund and agreed to a one-off increase in funding available for year two, 2022/23, meaning that we had $600,000 available. We received 66 funding requests totaling more than $1.3 million last year.
The Waitaha Action to Impact Fund is just one option for community groups to receive support from us. Other funds include Zone Committee Action Plan funding which also supports community groups to deliver on-the-ground work to support Council priorities.