Some of the amazing young people who are members of ECCT's Ropu Taiohi, managing the rangatahi-led fund. Photo / Eastern and Central Community Trust
Some of the amazing young people who are members of ECCT's Ropu Taiohi, managing the rangatahi-led fund. Photo / Eastern and Central Community Trust
The pilot for a rangatahi-led fund aiming to support young people to reach their full potential has been such a success it is being expanded in 2022.
As part of its commitment to rangatahi, Eastern and Central Community Trust (ECCT) announced last month that it is allocating another $4 million over four years to fund youth development activities.
"New Zealand's future lies in the hands of our rangatahi so it is wonderful to be supporting their needs and aspirations now," said Georgina Morrison, Eastern and Central Community Trust chairwoman.
ECCT's Rōpū Taiohi, which consists of 15 members aged between 16 and 25 years, managed the original funding pilot, which was launched in February this year.
The funding is available in the regions that ECCT serves - Tararua, Manawatū, Horowhenua, Gisborne/Te Tairāwhiti, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa.
Two of the Rōpū Taiohi members from Horowhenua - Molly Fuauli and Geordie Parrant.
Rōpū Taiohi's Horowhenua member Molly Fuauli was offered the opportunity to become part of the group through her job with Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō's Youth Space.
Most of the members of Rōpū Taiohi had little idea what a strategic plan was when they first started but, with guidance from ECCT, were able to create a working plan around how the money from the pilot fund would be granted.
"The uptake from local youth [for the initial fund] has been insane," Fuauli said. "I love the fact the [money granted] helps empower youth to take on leadership roles."
As part of the funding application process, three Rōpū Taiohi members at a time sit on an assessment panel, taking care not to be part of any decision-making around applications from the areas they represent.
Ropu Taiohi members during their strategy planning workshop for the rangatahi-led fund - photo courtesy of Eastern and Central Community Trust.
According to Eastern and Central Community Trust spokeswoman Monique Jeffares, $14,951 has so far been granted to eight rangatahi-led projects in the Horowhenua, Manawatū, and Palmerston North region.
Four of these grants were awarded to the following Horowhenua groups:
- $250 to a group from Waiopehu College to develop a community garden to share kai with their community;
- $2000 for a community whakawhanaungatanga day in Shannon to celebrate and share the skills of young people 18 and over who work as hairstylists, barbers and stylists with rangatahi and the wider community;
- $3460 to a group of rangatahi passionate about youth mental wellness from Levin to run an all-day event for young people early in 2022;
- $1500 to a Shannon youth group to go to Tongariro National Park for an adventure teambuilding camp.
"Our trustees have brought forward another $50K into this financial year, so the programme can continue in a seamless way," said Jeffares, "there is about $30K still available [for further applications]."
Rangatahi funding rangatahi to become leaders in their own communities - picture provided by Eastern & Central Community Trust.
There is no closing date for the rangatahi-led fund and applications are still being considered monthly. To apply, or for more information, visit ecct.org.nz or email rangatahi@ecct.org.nz.
There is some decision-making to be done around how the new 2022 fund will operate and who will be part of the Rōpū Taiohi team running it next year, but it will definitely be open for new applications to support rangatahi-led projects from April 1, 2022.
