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.

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.

• 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 TCC Project Team.

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

Questions? Contact the TCC Project Team