Horizons community grants open soon

Applications for Horizons Regional Council’s Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant and Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi - Community Climate Response Fund will be open from Monday 27 March.

The grants are available to iwi, hapū, and community groups with projects which foster development in indigenous biodiversity and support mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) or respond to climate change issues in their communities. 
 
Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says Horizons’ vision for the grants is to support community projects which are making a real difference.
 
“We are pleased to be offering these opportunities again this year for projects which are making a positive impact in biodiversity or climate change spaces in their communities,” says Cr Keedwell.
 
“Applications are open to both new projects and previously funded projects. With 25 total grants allocated last year between the two funds, we are hoping to reach even further within the region this year.
 
“It’s great to be able to empower these communities to contribute to the health of our region’s ecosystems, the continuation of mātauranga Māori, and building resilience to climate change.”
 
Horizons councillor Fiona Gordon, a member of the committee who awards the grants, says that Horizons is impressed by the diverse range of projects in recent years.
 
“2022 was the first year we have offered our Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi – Community Climate Response Fund, and after such a successful response the fund is offering a total of $78,250 for eligible community projects,” says Cr Gordon.
 
“Projects that were successful for this last year included a climate camp for rangatahi, planting a school orchard, and a food resilience project.
 
“The Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant is in its third year and has a pool of $277,000 available, with no limit on funding per project. Recipients of this grant have included Castlecliff Coast Care, Whanganui; Pauro Marino Trust, Ohakune; Makuri Catchment Care Group, Pahiatua; and the Ruahine Whio Protection Trust.
 
“I encourage interested community groups to visit our dedicated webpages and read up on the guidelines and criteria for each of the grants to find out what you might be able to apply for.”
 
For more information and to apply for the Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Fund, visit the Horizons website https://www.horizons.govt.nz/about-our-region-and-council/grants-and-sponsorship/biodiversity-grants
 
For more information and to apply for the Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi – Community Climate Response Fund, visit the Horizons website https://www.horizons.govt.nz/about-our-region-and-council/grants-and-sponsorship/putea-hapori-urupare-ahuarangi-community-climate-r