Media Statement

For immediate release

12 February 2008

Lobbying for Funding Boost for NGOs Pays Off

Prime Minister Helen Clark’s announcement today of significant new funding for non-government organisations has been greeted with delight by those organisations running social services in our local communities.

Organisations in the Tangata Whenua, community and voluntary sector say the funding increase and the sustainable funding model that the Labour-led Government has announced will greatly benefit every New Zealander.

Tina Reid of the New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare said increased funding and better funding models were something the COmVOices group of organisations had been lobbying for over many years.

“Altogether this is a much needed boost in funding that will be critical to developing a safer, brighter and more sustainable future for New Zealand, We appreciate the move to annual cost of living adjustments and grants for smaller contracts,” she said.

“It is a great endorsement from the Government of the work that our sector does day-to-day, and the value and importance of that.”

Ros Rice of New Zealand Council of Social Services said the change from a contracts-based to a grants-based model would make a huge difference to the funding and sustainability of many services.

“Government has traditionally only provided part funding for the services they provide, with no account for compliance or administration costs. Sector organisations have long relied on multiple funding streams to survive. This announcement will mean less time in the office and more time out where our work really counts,” she said.

Tony Spelman of the Community Sector Taskforce said the announcement demonstrates the Government is beginning to recognise the importance of the Sector in providing crucial social services to New Zealanders.

“We had previously said to the government that the funding model was wrong and they have recognised this in part because it is an election year. While the government has done this unilaterally we believe there are further gains when the Sector’s solutions to Sector problems are given greater scope to operate,” he said.

“This level of additional funding, and the change to the funding model means we can continue to work on the key issues facing our communities,” said Jo Lake of Presbyterian Support New Zealand

“This will provide massive benefits to family and community services in areas such as parenting programmes, youth programmes and family support and abuse prevention. Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister is crucial,” she said.

ENDS

www.nzfvwo.org.nz/comvoices

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