One-off community funding carrot from SWDC

Securing funding for key support systems like Martinborough’s beleagured public library, Hau Ariki Marae, even forest regeneration planting – could be part of the focus for the newly-announced $500,000 Community Wellbeing Fund.

South Wairarapa District Council has announced the fund, which is being dispersed to applicants over the next five months after the Department of Internal Affairs ponied up with cash from the Better Off support packages provided to local bodies under the now-disbanded Three Waters Reform.

“The  Wellbeing Fund of $500,000 available now is for individuals and groups to build wellbeing initiatives that benefit the whole community,” the council announced on July 8, with grant applications to be reviewed in late July, early September and November.

SWDC said the funding will be allocated to initiatives that:

_ support communities to transition to a sustainable and low emissions economy, 

and/or

_ support improvements in community wellbeing.

Applications will be assessed under four key criteria:

_ Social Wellbeing – residents are active, healthy, safe, resilient, optimistic and connected;

• Cultural Wellbeing – strong relationships with whānau, hāpu and marae, celebrating diverse cultural identity, arts and heritage;

• Economic Wellbeing – a place or destination, new business and diverse employment that

gives people independence and opportunity;

• Environmental Wellbeing – sustainable living, safe and secure water and soils, waste

minimisation, biodiversity enhanced.

Projects that could meet the criteria for the new fund include: school garden-to-table projects, community solar projects and green initiatives. Applications could also cover community events, waste reduction workshops and environmental education projects.

Applications will be assessed by a subcommittee of councillors, the council ceo, representatives from the three Community Boards and the Māori Standing Committee.

Find out more, apply today: swdc.govt.nz/cwbf/