Auckland Council Environmental Initiatives Fund

Kia Ora,

The Environmental Initiatives Fund is now open for 2011 applications.
Grants from this fund support Aucklanders to be actively engaged in the enhancement and conservation of important local environments and heritage. Individuals, community groups, schools, early childhood centres, Mana Whenua, Maori groups, businesses and trusts within the Auckland region working on not-for-profit projects are eligible to apply for funding.

EIF funding is allocated under four outcome areas:
1. Access, choice and opportunity
2. Caring for people
3. Caring for place
4. Caring for the coast

A full description of each outcome area is included in Section 1 of the EIF guidelines (please see attached). Each outcome area has identified priorities; however projects which fall outside these priority areas are still eligible to apply.

For 2011, EIF application assessment criteria are the same as previous years. Application assessment criteria are described in Section 11 of the EIF guidelines.

Projects previously supported by the EIF include:
· A restoration project returning former farm land to native bush in Rodney
· A pest control project on Great Barrier Island
· Historic church and cemetery restoration in Pukekohe
· A school native bush restoration project in Titirangi

The average EIF grant is around $2,500. However, applications for grants of up to $15,000 are accepted. Applicants are required to contribute half of the project costs and projects should commence after December 2011 (when applicants will be notified the outcome of their application).

Applications must be received by 4:00pm on Monday 26 September. Late, faxed or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

You can apply online. Visit http://www.eifo.org.nz to register and login to start completing your application. Please read the EIF guidelines to ensure your project is eligible and meets all the requirements.

For further information go to www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/funding or you can contact Auckland Council Environmental Funding staff at environmentalfunding@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or phone (09) 301 0101.