Horizons Regional Council 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 25 March.
 

Horizons will also be hosting a community grants open day this year, to share projects that have previously received funding, inspire others and provide support.
 
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 it is great to able to support our communities to make a positive impact in the biodiversity and climate change spaces, to build capacity and take action.
 
“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.”
 
Applications are open to both new and previously funded projects. Last year we allocated funds to 36 project, and we are hoping to be able to support a similar number across the region this year.
 
The Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi – Community Climate Response Fund, is in its third year. Last year Bulls School established a school orchard, Heritage Food Crops Research Trust in Whanganui provided the community with heritage seeds, trees, plants and the information to grow them successfully, and Palmerston North Street Van INC were funded to upgrade their repair shop and support upskilling of staff to repair electrical goods.
The Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant is in its fourth year. Blue Duck Station expanded their trapping network for whio protection in Ruapehu, and Waitahora Landcare Collective, Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre and Rangitīkei Rivers Catchment received funding for old man’s beard control.
Cr Keedwell says we are particularly interested to hear from new community groups this year that have projects with a focus on biodiversity or climate actions.
 
The Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Fund Open Day will be held on 7 April in Whanganui to share the success of previous applicants, engage with those that have new project ideas, and those looking for more support. For more information or to register please email communications@horizons.govt.nz.
 
For more information and to apply for these grants visit the Horizons website https://www.horizons.govt.nz/about-our-region-and-council/grants-and-sponsorship/biodiversity-grants