Tags
15 July 2025, 1:35 pm
Horizons Regional Council has announced applications for its Regional Freshwater Community Grant have now opened.
Funding is available to community groups with projects which encourage engagement with freshwater, education around water quality issues, or projects which involve interventions to improve water quality. There is $200,000 available through the fund for the new financial year. Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says improving freshwater quality is one of Horizons’ priority areas. “Our vision for this grant is to support community groups in developing projects that foster education, engagement, and innovation in freshwater quality. “When working alongside communities, we often hear a wide range of ideas from people who are deeply connected to our waterways. Yet, a common challenge that many face is the lack of funding, which can stall progress and limit potential. Offering financial support through a contestable fund is a great way to help local groups to bring their ideas to life and create a positive impact in their communities,” says Cr Keedwell. Some of the initiatives supported by the Regional Freshwater Community Grants last year included: freshwater sampling equipment for science students at Ruapehu College; community education about watershed dynamics in Whanganui; fencing of wetlands in Rangitīkei; plastic pollution collection in waterways in Palmerston North; a project to reduce single use plastics in a school environment in the Manawatū; and riparian planting and pest control projects in Manawatū, Palmerston North, Tararua and Horowhenua. Applications for this year’s grant opens on Monday 14 July 2025 and close on Friday 29 August at 4pm. Applications are welcome from across the region Successful applicants will be notified by the 3 October 2025. To be eligible for funding, projects will need to be completed by 30 June 2026. To learn more about the Regional Freshwater Community Grant, find details on eligibility criteria and apply, visit Horizons website here.