Grant support for local projects that protect and restore our place.
We support local catchment and environmental groups with administrative help, practical services, and small grants to strengthen whenua and wai, build capability, and enable commuities to design and deliver their own solutions.
Our kaupapa is guided by environmental Coordinators based across Tairāwhiti, who facilitate the Grants from pre application, project maintenance, and delivery.
We encourage groups to apply for what is needed versus wanted, and our kaupapa is to support more projects across a lower level than less at a higher level.
Engagement Grants
Engagement Grants are suited to catchment-related community engagement events or projects in the early stages of development. The funding application is simple and designed for efficient review and approvals.
Funding examples include covering the costs of introductory meetings, hui, wananga, workshops, presentations, or other gatherings aimed at initial project conversations.
Preview the form or Apply Online Now; it’s easy and should only take 30 minutes.
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Our team works all year round [Insert open hours of weeks months]
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Typically up to 10 working days.
Successful Applications will receive a notification including:
Any terms of the Approval
Funding Amount
Confirmation of the project deliverables
Reporting Requirements
Payment Schedule
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Eligibility, Alignment to Leading from the Land goals and budget.
We are hosting a Pest Control Community Event. We expect 100 people to attend on Sunday from our community, from the local isolated farming community, local marae, and hapu, and forestry companies. A grant would be appreciated towards catering costs, spot prizes for families (such as native trees, native bird soft toys, and small traps), and stationery, as well as facilitator and Kaitiaki Taiao Leader time to organise the event. A key Pou of the catchment group is Education and inspiration, so this is a key focus of the pest control event to engage tamariki and rangatahi.
Project Grants
Project Grants are open to grassroots groups, landowners, or communities delivering projects within the Tairāwhiti region, for modest amounts, and are intended to support community-based collective action, including:
Learning or upskilling opportunities
Pilot projects or trialing new ideas
Events, wānanga, and workshops
Strengthening collaboration between groups or communities
Improving how your community responds to environmental challenges
Preview the form or Apply Online Now; it’s easy and should only take 30 minutes.
Book a korero with an Environmental Community Coodinator
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Fund Rounds November, February, May, August.
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TBC
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Applications are reviewed and assessed by a panel for
Alignment to goals
Feasibility & budget
Collaboration
Impact
Community leadership
FAQs
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To be eligible the Applicant need to be community group, whānau, or supported individual within Tairāwhiti) and the proposed activity aligns with LFTL kaupapa.
LFTL supports community, taiao, iwi, hapū, whānau, and catchment groups, as well as not-for-profit organisations and individuals with clear community backing. Our grants and services are here to help locally led kaupapa that strengthen the taiao, build capability, and support the wellbeing of our whenua and wai across Tairāwhiti.
You do not need to be a formal legal entity to apply.
If you are not an incorporated group, funding can be administered on your behalf through LFTL’s transaction management facility, ensuring your kaupapa can still proceed safely and smoothly.
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Iwi, hapū and marae-based groups
Community or whānau collectives
Taiao and environmental groups
Catchment and landcare groups
Not-for-profit or charitable organisations
Individuals leading taiao-focused activities with demonstrated community support
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Be based in Tairāwhiti
Have a kaupapa that contributes to taiao, whenua or wai outcomes
Be community-led and focused on collective benefit
Be able to safely deliver the activity and meet simple reporting requirements
LFTL does not fund commercial activities or projects outside the Tairāwhiti region.
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If the application is made by an individual on behalf of an unincorporated group, funds may be held by East Coast – Leading from the Land Inc. and managed via Taupua Tairāwhiti Services Inc.
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Yes. Unsuccessful applications will be provided with reasons they didn’t receive the funding and in most instances help or direction about how to reapply or re align their project to fit the goals of lftl.
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Engagement Grant Applications are assessed by the project manager and one of the board, whilst project grants are assessed by a Panel of experts with the final recommendation approved by the Board. To ensure neutrality Coordinators are not part of the assessment panel.
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It is encouraged that you apply for an Engagement Grant prior to a Project Grant, so that community engagement can take place prior to committing to a Project.
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No
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Yes we encourage co funding for larger projects.
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Yes we are able to provide a transaction management system to access assigned funding.
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Large infrastructure or capital works
Standalone treatment-based projects (e.g. fencing, planting, culverts)
Projects that are already fully funded through other major investment streams (e.g., MPI’s Primary Growth Partnerships)
