One day left to apply for funding

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

IF YOU have a social or community enterprise idea you want to put into practice you have just a day left to apply for a new programme that starts in Gisborne in July.

Thrive Tairawhiti, a four-month development programme for up to 14 people interested in starting a social enterprise (businesses designed to improve their community) has already received 23 expressions of interest. It is a partnership between Akina Foundation and Eastland Community Trust, supported by New Zealand Post and Kiwibank.

Akina CEO Alex Hannant said people interested in joining the programme, either as participants, social enterprise supporters or community champions in the Gisborne region are encouraged to apply for Thrive Tairawhiti by tomorrow, Tuesday, May 31.

“We’re pleased to see interest from across the region, from Gisborne, Okitu, Ruatoria and Te Araroa so far," Mr Hannant said.

"The ideas shared are around employment, waste reduction and environmental causes, and we look forward to seeing what other applicants come up with.”

Developing hubs and building skillsMr Hannant said New Zealand Post and Kiwibank’s support meant Akina could work alongside local partners to develop social enterprise hubs and build skills.

“Social enterprise offers a way to deal to the problems we face through a sustainable business model. It’s a hybrid between business and charity, and our experience is that Thrive participants come with great ideas.”

Mr Hannant said Thrive Tairawhiti was for anyone with the ambition to create a community social enterprise.

“This might include whanau, hapu and iwi members, local business leaders and community leaders who wished to leverage business to achieve positive outcomes for their community.”

The partners were also seeking applications from community champions and social enterprise supporters who could provide mentoring, coaching or practical support in specialist areas.

The programme would start on July 25, with the first meeting of the social enterprise supporters, and then the Thrive participants would kick-off with their first two day workshop the day after.

Apply online for Thrive Tairawhiti at www.akina.org.nz/tairawhiti by 31 May or contact Eve Jolly at Akina (phone 022 093 5284 or eve.jolly@akina.org.nz) or Kerry Donovan at ECT (phone 06 867 2640 or k.donovan@ect.org.nz) for more information.