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.
Process
Step 1 - Contact one of our Environmental Community Coordinators. They will korero with you to help answer questions, provide guidance, and facilitate the application process. This can be online, over the phone or in person.
Step 2 - If you are eligible to apply for a Grant, you can fill out and submit an online application.
Step 3 - Following completion of the eligibility assessment and independent panel review, the LFTL Board will make the final decision on all funding applications.
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.
The first step is to fill out an expression of interest form, so one of our Community Engagement Coordinators can setup a korero with you.
Once you have met with them and they think you’re eligible, you can APPLY ONLINE. To avoid disappointment please DO NOT apply online without speaking to one of our Environmental Community Coordinators.
Apply online, it’s easy and should only take 15 - 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, iwi, hapu, 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
The first step is to fill out an expression of interest form, so one of our Community Engagement Coordinators can setup a korero with you.
Once you have met with them and they think you’re eligible, you can APPLY ONLINE. To avoid disappointment please DO NOT apply online without speaking to one of our Environmental Community Coordinators.
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)
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There are a number of other funding agencies that may be able to help fund your taiao or catchment project.
1 - Trust Tairāwhiti
2 - Eastern and Central and Community Trust
3 - The Sunshine Foundation
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If you are not GST Registered, please include costs inclusive of GST
Supporting Information
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Does your project meet the following assessment criteria:
1. Eligibility & Fit
Applicant meets eligibility requirements (community group, whānau, or supported individual within Tairāwhiti).
Proposed activity aligns with TCC kaupapa and CES funding conditions.
2. Alignment to TCC Goals
Strengthens local catchment/community capability.
Supports thriving communities, sustainable farming, and environmental health.
Demonstrates collective benefit (not just individual gain).
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.
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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.
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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.
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For a full list of Terms & Conditions, please request a copy of the Project Grant Agreement from the TCC Project Team.
How to Submit: Email completed forms to: support@lftl.co.nz
Questions? Contact the TCC Project Team