Pro-business projects win

By SIMON COLLINS

The Government is offering groups up to $500,000 each for projects which encourage a positive attitude towards business.

The new Enterprise Culture and Skills Activities Fund is designed to develop an enterprising culture across New Zealand, including students, employers, employees and groups in the community.

Applications close on April 5 for the first $1.7 million and on May 10 for the second $1.7 million.

After that, there will be one funding round each May.

A consultant who developed the scheme for Industry New Zealand, Gen Rippingale, said projects could include school activities, online games or even a series of media articles on successful entrepreneurs.

"It could be a small community south of Hokitika that decides, 'We want to get all our businesses together with the schools and have a series of activities and we think it will make a difference in these kids' understanding of the kind of businesses that we could have in this town'," she said. "It might be some iwi who puts up proposals for things they can do with the kids.

"It could be a group of older people who get together and say, 'We have the time, we have the skills, why are we not working with our grandchildren?'

"It doesn't have to be to do with children, or education - just culture change and/or skill development."

Existing projects such as the Great NZ Business Venture competition might qualify, as long as they do not already have state funding under established policies.

Projects must contribute to at least one of four objectives:

* A culture in education where business is seen as a positive contributor to society and a worthwhile career aspiration in students.

* Students developing enterprising attitudes and behaviours and business-relevant skills.

* A climate which recognises and reinforces business success among existing and potential businesses.

* A social culture which positively supports entrepreneurial activity and business success.

One or two "large projects" will be considered for grants of up to $500,000 in each funding round, along with several smaller projects.

Schools and other non-profit agencies wanting grants will need partners from the private sector.

Projects must produce "measurable outcomes" such as:

* How many people and of what type (age, geographic spread, ethnicity and profession) were reached by the project.

* Evidence for "attitudinal changes" in participants as a result of the project.

* New knowledge and skills gained by the project participants.

* Any ongoing changes in organisations resulting from the project.

* Any new links established between businesses and other parts of society.

* Any new businesses established.

Management of the scheme was put out for tender last month to make sure that it is run at arm's length from the Government.

The tender was won by the Royal Society of New Zealand, which managed the recent process of selecting five new "centres of research excellence" at universities.

The annual $2 million budget includes $300,000 for administration.

Industry NZ