How to apply
Who can apply?
We welcome Take Care applications from all not-for-profit groups (e.g. environmental groups, iwi, community groups).
Applications will open on 12 February 2010 and close on 19 March 2010. You will need to fill out an application form. We cannot guarantee that all projects which fit our criteria will be funded as there is a limited number of places available within the program. For assistance with planning a new project for 2010 or if you wish to apply for an extension of funding for an existing project, please read the Guide to fill out the application and use the criteria below that we use to assess applications and contact the Community Environmental Projects Co-ordinator.
What types of projects are funded?
Greater Wellington will support projects that contribute to the sustainable management or ecological restoration of the following threatened ecosystems:
- rivers and streams
- wetlands and lakes
- dunes and coastal areas
- estuaries.
In general, we will fund:
- site preparation and maintenance costs, weed control
- environmental monitoring
- signs
- project plans, management plans
- leaflets, promotional activities
- hire of halls, meeting costs
- shade houses and materials for the project
- eco-sourced plants from nurseries or nursery costs of growing your own plants
- environmental education (events, fairs, etc) for the project.
Beautification or amenity projects (i.e. projects which have no environmental basis) are not eligible for funding.
How much money is available?
Funding is available for up to a five year period. You can apply for up to $3,000 in the first year, $5,000 in the second, third and fourth years and $1,000 in the final year.
How are applications assessed?
Applications are assessed by Greater Wellington staff according to the criteria set out below.
Criteria
- How much the project will enhance or benefit the threatened ecosystem involved
- How much the project will contribute to the restoration or enhancement of our native plants, animals and ecosystems, or to their mauri or other special or spiritual qualities
- How the project will raise community awareness of environmental issues
- How much support there is for the project in the local community
- How much the community will benefit
- How the project will be carried out
- Whether any part of the project will damage natural ecosystems
- Whether Greater Wellington can legally support the project
Preference will be given to projects which:
- Help the environment over the long term
- Aim to become self-supporting
- Promote community involvement
- Help people to take more responsibility for caring for the environment
- Help to restore the ecological integrity of the site.
Your application will also need to tell us:
- What the project is
- Who is going to run it
- What it is likely to cost
- How long it is going to take
- Who is going to look after it when it's completed
- How the community will be involved
- Who’s involved in setting up your group and its goals
- What skills are available in your group to do the work
- What help you would like from us.
Before you and your group go to a lot of effort filling in the application form, talk to Greater Wellington's Community Environmental Projects Co-ordinator.