Community Development Scheme applicants urged to apply now

Community Development Scheme applicants urged to apply now

Applications from community organisations / hapû / iwi to the Community Development Scheme close at 4.00pm on Monday 22 March 2010.

The scheme funds communities to employ community development project workers for a specified period to assist communities to generate their own solutions to local issues, and to become more self-reliant and resilient.

The scheme’s focus is on community-driven, community-based projects that enable communities to work together in new ways, to be innovative and to determine their own development priorities in order to achieve durable community outcomes.

This year, funding is available to establish one new project in each of ten priority territories. Community groups, Mâori, Pacific and ethnic organisations based in the priority territories can apply for funding. The ten priority territories are:

North Shore City
Manurewa (suburb)
Hauraki and / or Matamata and / or Piako Districts
Wairoa District
Central Hawke's Bay District
Wellington City
Mackenzie and / or Timaru and / or Waimate Districts
Kaikoura and / or Hurunui Districts
Dunedin City
Gore and / or Clutha Districts

Community development projects are funded for a three year period. Each project receives funding of $80,000 plus GST per year to cover the salary of a community development project worker and project expenses.

The Community Development Scheme is administered by the Local Government and Community Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs.

To obtain an application form, or to learn more about the Community Development Scheme, visit the Department of Internal Affairs’ website: www.dia.govt.nz or phone 0800 824 824.