1. Eligibility & Fit

• Applicant is part of one of the following: community group, whānau, iwi, hapu, catchment group, or supported individual within Tairāwhiti region.

• Proposed activity aligns with LFTL kaupapa as detailed below.

2. Alignment to LFTL Goals

• Strengthens local knowledge, capability, and confidence in emerging and existing groups. 

• Enables community collaboration through fostering connection, shared learning, and collective problem solving.

• Fund learning and action that turn local ideas into environmental action.

• Build long term sustainability through funding, partnerships, and leadership.

• Connecting people, data, and stories across the rohe.

3. Collaboration & Inclusion

• Involves local whānau, hapū, iwi, landowners, schools, or other groups.

• Promotes shared learning, knowledge exchange, or storytelling.

• Recognises mana whenua and local community leadership.

4. Environmental & Learning Value

• Contributes to improved catchment health or environmental outcomes.

• Provides opportunities for learning, trialling, or testing new approaches.

• Builds awareness and skills that can be applied beyond the project.

5. Feasibility & Budget

• Project plan and timeline are realistic and achievable.

• Budget is reasonable, transparent, and represents good value for money.

• Leverages partner support, co-funding, or in-kind contributions (where possible).

6. Impact & Sustainability

• Potential for lasting benefit beyond the funded activity.

• Helps set the foundation for longer-term projects or group development.

• Identifies clear outputs and outcomes, and commits to reporting.

Successful applicants will receive a payment schedule suited to the size, duration, and scope of their project. Smaller or short-term projects may be paid in one or two instalments; larger or longer-term projects will have staged milestone payments. Each milestone payment will be released on approval of milestone reports and, where applicable, supporting financial documentation (e.g., invoices or receipts).

If the applicant is an entity, payments will be made directly to the applicant’s account. 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.

In-kind contributions received can also be documented and included in the funding consideration.

All applications should include GST in the budget application.

• The project must occur within the Tairāwhiti region.

• Funding will only be provided for costs associated with the Approved Project.

• Retrospective funding (for costs already incurred) is not eligible.

• East Coast – Leading from the Land Inc reserves the right to inspect or promote supported projects.

• The applicant is responsible for all Health and Safety requirements under current legislation.

• The applicant acknowledges that the project grants are sourced from a Catchment Extension Services funding agreement between the Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) and East Coast – Leading from the Land Incorporated (the Society). The applicant must comply with all directions and requests issued by the Society and MPI in relation to the funding. This includes, without limitation, all requests for the provision of reports and financial records and requests to conduct monitoring or audit of the funded activities and the use of the grant funds.

For a full list of Terms & Conditions, please request a copy of the Project Grant Agreement from the LFTL Project Team.

How to Submit: Email completed forms to: support@lftl.co.nz