Applications for Manurewa Local Board rangatahi youth scholarships for those with leadership potential are now open.
Scholarships offer a maximum of $2000 for academic and trades purposes and are available to 14 to 24-year-olds, with applications closing on 11 August. Last year more than 30 scholarships were awarded.
Board chair Glenn Murphy says while most of those went to young people pursuing further education in fields as diverse as architecture to Māori studies, they were also awarded for help with trades training.
“I can’t remember a time when the cost of living was so much in the news. It isn’t a huge amount of money, but it is funding that could make a huge difference in the lives of some of your young ones.
Board member Anne Candy has been involved in the scheme for several years. “There is no doubt that some of our families have young people who don’t chase further education because the cost is a barrier.
“We believe our rangatahi deserve to know we will stand with them and help them chase their dreams where we can.”
Decisions on who is awarded the scholarships are made with the help of the Manurewa Youth Council.
“It’s important we have input from young people into decisions that will affect other young people, especially when receiving a grant could be the difference between someone being able to go on to study or not,” Candy says.
Funding can also be used to attend events to develop leadership skills, with the board committed to making the programme as open as possible.
“We are also interested in people’s potential to return something to their communities. We will back those who volunteer or want to gain skills to do so in future,” Murphy says.
The grants are interpreted widely to include as many people as possible, with past awards funding sports equipment for a youth programme, tools, performing arts work, and a Spirit of Adventure course,tnough most have been for computers, course fees and travel costs.
Applicants must use funds in 2024 to move into education and training or attend New Zealand events based on leadership and development, have a genuine connection to the board area, be citizens or residents, and have shown leadership potential or a willingness to help others.
Assessments take place soon after applications close, with scholarships announced in September.
There is also a Manurewa Local Board local grants round now open for applications.
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