Auckland Council has approved funding for a variety of community initiatives for the purposes of community development, cultural initiatives and the arts through the latest funding rounds for the 2017/18 financial year.
The council’s Community Development and Safety Committee approved over $1.6 million through separate fund and grant allocations that will assist 56 organisations to provide arts and cultural programmes and community services.
Through the Māori cultural initiatives fund, nine organisations received $998,869 in funding for marae and papakāinga development in locations such as Kaipara, Great Barrier Island, Panmure and Manurewa.
The Regional Community Development Grants programme allocated $174,700 to eleven projects providing essential social service needs to organisations such as Presbyterian Support and Age Concern.
The Regional Arts and Culture Grants scheme granted a total of $456,100 to enable a number of organisations, communities and artists to deliver a diverse range of arts, cultural projects and other activities across the Auckland region.
All grants have been made in accordance with Auckland Council’s Community Grants Policy. The policy creates a fairer, simpler and more accessible approach to accessing council grants across the Arts, Events, Community Development, Sport & Recreation and Environment & Heritage.
Councillor Cathy Casey, Chair of the Community Development and Safety Committee, says that the funding will make a real difference for many communities, especially organisations which have no regular secure sources of funding and many who rely on the assistance of volunteers.
"These funds are a real boost to many organisations doing great work within their communities, either in helping people directly or by creating better places, spaces and events for people to enjoy."
"They are all making a difference to the lives of their fellow neighbours and the community at large. In many instances, they are helping to bring those communities together," she says.
The criteria, along with a detailed list of the awards, is available here.
