Fund helping to improve local neighbourhoods

Rotorua residents are joining forces to improve their neighbourhoods, providing volunteer labour and services with support from a community fund.

Rotorua Lakes Council’s Neighbourhood Matching Fund was established about a year ago and projects funded to date include the establishment of community gardens, tree plantings, street and waterway clean-ups and the creation or improvement of communal spaces like picnic areas.

There are two funding options available through Neighbourhood Matching Fund – a pool of $50,000 for grants of between $50 and $5000 which are allocated throughout the year, and a pool of $100,000 for grants of between $1500 and $35,000, allocated three times a year. Applications for the larger grants fund are currently open and close on 20 March 2015.

“We’re working with local groups to build strong neighbourhoods and community connections and we’re encouraging community-led projects and initiatives – communities know what they need better than we do,” says Councillor Janet Wepa, who leads Rotorua Lakes Council’s Sustainable Living portfolio.

“There’s a limit to what Council can do but in many instances, where there are people committed to improving their communities, what we can do is help them to help themselves.”

Through the Neighbourhood Matching Fund groups are expected to match the funding they get with volunteer labour, donated materials and professional services or cash.

“There are some neat projects and initiatives that have already benefited from the Neighbourhood Matching Fund,” Cr Wepa says.

“When people get together and invest their own time and efforts in something that helps improve their quality of life and their families’ quality of life, they take ownership and that strengthens communities.”

Groups do not need to be legal entities to qualify for funding through the Neighbourhood Matching Fund.

Information about the fund is available on Rotorua Lakes Council’s website (www.rotorualakescouncil.nz) – go to ‘Our City’, then ‘Community Development’, then ‘Grants and Funding’.

People can also call in to Council’s Customer Centre at the main council building (Civic Centre) on Haupapa Street for information or assistance.

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