Have your say on draft community grants policy

Auckland Council is seeking community views on a draft policy which aims to simplify the process for those applying for community grants.

The policy will guide the allocation of local and regional grants to groups and organisations involved in the delivery of projects, activities and services that benefit Aucklanders.

“At the moment there are still a number of different grants policies, schemes and processes in place based on what was offered by the previous councils, and this is confusing and time-consuming for applicants,” says the council’s Regional Strategy and Policy Committee chair, Cr George Wood.

“The new policy aims to make the process simpler, fairer and more accessible.”

The draft policy proposes introducing a new community grants programme with two main components:

• A local grants programme – including the ability for local boards to work together to allocate grants for activities that cross several local board areas
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• A regional grants programme – with funding programmes for arts and culture, community development, environment and natural heritage, historic heritage, events and sports and recreation.
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Cr Wood says the new policy will make it easier for local boards to support community initiatives that align with their local priorities, while the proposed regional grants programmes will help to deliver the Auckland Plan.

Feedback on the Draft Community Grants Policy is now open and will close at 5pm on Monday 11 August.

To read the policy, make a submission or find out about a series of workshops being held on the policy, go to shapeauckland.co.nz.

Copies are also available at council libraries, customer service centres, local board offices and community centres.

ENDS

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