Sources of funding for projects and participation
The Ministry for the Environment manages the following funds on behalf of its Ministers.
The Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund
The Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund has been set up to address the problem of poor quality fresh water as a result of historical decisions and practices.
The purpose of the fund is to provide regional councils and their project partners with financial assistance to remediate water bodies of national significance. The fund is open for applications in the 2011/12 financial year, and consists of $15 million over two years (2011/12–2012/13).
The funding round opens on 14 September 2011 and closes on 31 October 2011 at 5pm. Questions and answers, application forms and guidance for applicants can be found on the Fresh start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund page.
Community Environment Fund
The Ministry wants to work with you to help make a positive difference to the environment.
The purpose of the Community Environment Fund (CEF) is to provide funding to ensure that New Zealanders are empowered to take environmental action. It also ensures that:
- partnerships (relating to practical environmental initiatives) between interested parties are supported and strengthened
- community-based advice and educational opportunities are increased
- awareness on environmental legislation and issues is heightened.
Each year there will be two opportunities/funding rounds to submit an application to the fund. The second funding round closed on 5 September 2011. The third funding round will open for applications in early 2012. This third funding round will be a minor round targeting operational costs for Environment Centres. If you require more information please contact CEF@mfe.govt.nz.
Waste Minimisation Fund
The Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) helps fund waste minimisation projects.
The purpose of the fund is to increase resource efficiency, increase reuse, recovery and recycling, and decrease waste to landfill. The Minister for the Environment has set criteria for the Waste Minimisation Fund. Only projects which promote or achieve waste minimisation, including the reduction of waste and the reuse, recycling and recovery of waste and diverted material will be eligible.
Each year there will be two opportunities/funding rounds to submit an application to the fund. The third funding round closed on 12 September 2011. The fourth funding round will open for applications in early 2012. If you require more information please contact WMF@mfe.govt.nz.
Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund
A Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund of $2.78 million per annum is available to assist with the remediation of contaminated sites in New Zealand which pose a risk to the environment or human health.
Environmental Legal Assistance Fund
The Environmental Legal Assistance Fund provides not-for-profit groups with financial assistance to advocate for an environmental issue of public interest at resource management cases at the Environment Court, higher Courts, and at Boards of Enquiry constituted under the "Call in" provisions of the Resource Management Act 1991. The Fund reimburses the costs of legal counsel and expert witnesses.
An independent Advisory Panel, which meets about every 5 weeks will assess your application against the criteria set out in the Guide to Applicants and will make its recommendation to the Chief Executive's Office of the Ministry.
Funding from other Government departments
The following table lists other funding resources available from other government departments.
| Organisation | Funding resources available |
|---|---|
| Department of Conservation | DOC’s Nga Whenua Rahui fund supports conservation projects by tangata whenua groups. Enquire at kaitakawaenga@doc.govt.nz |
Department of Internal Affairs |
Information on community funding administered by the Local Government and Community Branch is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website www.dia.govt.nz or www.cdgo.govt.nz. |
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) |
EECA administer a number of funding schemes and programmes for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. For more information refer to www.eeca.govt.nz |
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
MAF’s Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) supports projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental viability of farmers, growers, foresters and their wider rural communities. For more details see www.maf.govt.nz/sff |
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
The Sustainable Farming Fund - Climate Change portfolio is an initiative under the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Plan of Action. Funds are available for farmer, forester and grower led projects that advance the climate change objectives of mitigation, adaptation and/or business opportunities. For more information see http://www.maf.govt.nz/sff/apply/sffcc-description.htm |
| Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry | The Community Irrigation Fund http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/rural-nz/cif/ helps rural communities adapt to climate change by assisting promoters of community water storage and irrigation schemes raise support and design schemes, and by assisting local government to develop water strategies that consider the potential for rural irrigation-related infrastructure. |
| Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry | The Hill Country Erosion Programme http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/rural-nz/slm-hill-country-erosion-programme/ focuses on building the technical capacity of regional councils and providing targeted funding for catchment initiatives. |
Ministry of Culture and Heritage |
The Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund is to support events which commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and promote nation building and community building. It is designed to encourage a wider spread of communities participating in Waitangi Day events. For more information see http://www.mch.govt.nz/awards/waitangi/index.html |
Ministry of Fisheries |
The Ministry of Fisheries has funding for fisheries management plans that can be accessed through its Pou Takawaenga officers. Enquire at www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Maori/Extension+Service+Team/default.html |
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) |
NZTE offers a wide range of services and programmes for businesses, from start-ups to established groups of exporters. These services include training, mentoring, funding, and business and market development assistance. For more information see www.nzte.govt.nz |
Enterprise Development Grants (Trade and Enterprise) |
The Enterprise Development Grants programme (EDG) aims to assist New Zealand businesses and entrepreneurs to gain additional skills and abilities to pursue their business development goals by building capability and supporting development initiatives. The Enterprise Development Grants programme consists of two components, a Capability Building component (EDG-CB) and a Market Development component (EDG-MD). For further information see http://www.nzte.govt.nz/section/12577.aspx |
Growth Services Fund (Trade and Enterprise) |
The Growth Services Fund offers support for high growth potential firms to purchase external advice, expertise, and market development services. For further information see http://www.nzte.govt.nz/section/11964.aspx |
Te Puni Kokiri |
TPK is the government’s principal adviser for Maori affairs. The website outlines Maori funding assistance from government and non-government organisations, including iwi authorities and professional associations. Enquire at www.tpk.govt.nz |
The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology |
FRST invests in research, science and technology (RS&T) on behalf of the New Zealand government. For a list of the current funding available go to http://www.frst.govt.nz/funding/search |
Last updated: 14 September 2011
