Community Internship Programme Applications Now Open

18 August 2009

Applications for the 2009/10 funding round of the Community Internship Programme (CIP) are now being accepted.

Grants from CIP allow non-profit, grassroots organisations to pay the salaries of staff with high-level skills from the public, private or community sector. They are employed as interns for three to six months at no cost to their organisation.

Skilled staff members looking for an opportunity to develop their career, build new networks and, at the same time, help their community, need look no further than CIP.

The CIP provides a chance for experienced professionals to take a break from their normal roles, usually for six months, and help an organisation in their community to increase its capability, plan strategically and become more effective.

The ultimate aim is to increase understanding, co-operation and interaction between the private, central government, local government, community and voluntary sectors.

Participation in CIP benefits all parties involved. The community organisation taps into skills and experiences they cannot normally access. The intern shares their skills while contributing to their community and the usual employer provides their staff with a unique professional development experience.

The 2009/10 funding round for the Community Internship Programme closes on 14 September 2009 at 4.00pm.

CIP is administered by the Local Government and Community Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs.

More information about the Community Internship Programme is available at www.dia.govt.nz or by Freephone 0800 824 824, 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday.

ENDS

Media Contact
Shawn Hollister, Senior Communications Advisor, Department of Internal Affairs, Local Government and Community Branch, phone (04) 495 7298 or email shawn.hollister@dia.govt.nz