Horizons Regional Council community grants open

Two annual funds to support community-led environmental projects are now open for applications.

The Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant and the Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi - Community Climate Response Fund help community-led groups, including iwi, hapū, schools, catchment care groups and passionate landowners, get resourcing and support for their projects that are intended to benefit the environment.
 
Horizons councillor Nikki Riley, Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi fund committee chair, says Horizons has been impressed by the diverse range of projects in recent years.
 
“It is fantastic to be able to support community projects which are making a real difference. The grants are a great opportunity for groups to access resourcing and support to either start a brand new project, or take an existing project to the next level.”
 
“Last year, successful applications saw Environment Network Manawatū (ENM) expand their support of communities growing food gardens. Whanganui Green Bikes used their funding to become a Park Tools School which teaches the community how to repair bikes and promote sustainable transport around the city.”
 
The Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant supports projects that improve indigenous biodiversity and involve community, ideally incorporating mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) where possible. This will be the fifth year that the fund has been available.
 
Horizons councillor Emma Clarke, chair of the biodiversity fund committee, says last year Horizons allocated funds to 35 projects, ranging from $460 to $36,000 and they are hoping to support a similar number across the region this year.
 
“It is great to be able to get behind new and innovative community projects, and continue support for multi-year projects.”

Cr Clarke says in Rangitīkei, Koitiata Wetlands Restoration Group are part-way through their multi-year wetland restoration project and Mataroa School built a native plant nursery. In Ruapehu, Project Tongariro (Tongariro Natural History Society Incorporated) brought traps to support their work for Predator Free Ohakune.

To inspire and support community organisations to prepare their applications for the biodiversity fund, Horizons is hosting the Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant Open Day on Saturday 12 April from 10am – 12pm at Te Pae Tata Ruapehu Community Hub in Ohakune. The day will include visits to see projects of previous successful applicants, opportunities for groups to share their project ideas, and advice on how to put an application together. For more information or to register to attend this Open Day please email communications@horizons.govt.nz.
 
Cr Clarke encourages interested community groups to get involved and find out what funding and support their projects might be eligible for.
 
“They can visit our dedicated webpages and read up on the guidelines and criteria for each of the grants to find out what they might be able to apply for.”
 
For more information and to apply for either of these grants visit the Horizons website at https://www.horizons.govt.nz/about-our-region-and-council/grants-and-sponsorship/biodiversity-grants

Image: The native plant nursery at Mataroa School built with support from the Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant.