Applications for the 2008/09 funding round of the Community Internship Programme (CIP) are now being accepted

Grants from CIP allow non-profit, grassroots organisations to pay the salaries of staff with high-level skills from the public, private or community sector. They are employed as interns for three to six months at no cost to their organisation.

Skilled staff members looking for an opportunity to develop their career, build new networks and, at the same time, help their community, need look no further than CIP.

The CIP provides a chance for experienced professionals to take a break from their normal roles, usually for six months, and help an organisation in their community to increase its capability, plan strategically and to become more effective.

The ultimate aim is to increase understanding, cooperation and interaction between the private, central government, local government, community and voluntary sectors.

Participation in CIP benefits all parties involved. The community organisation taps into skills and experiences they can not normally access. The intern shares their skills while contributing to their community and the 'home' organisation provides their staff with a unique professional development experience.

The 2008/09 funding round for the Community Internship Programme closes on 15 December 2008 at 4.00pm.

CIP is administered by the Local Government and Community Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs.

More information about the Community Internship Programme is available at www.dia.govt.nz  or by Freephone 0800 824 824, 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday.