Community groups and individuals are being encouraged to start thinking now about projects that could qualify for financial help from various funds administered by the Ashburton District Council, which has $245,000 to distribute.

Funding applications open in February for nine different pools of money.

Applications will also be accepted during the month of March for a new walking and cycling trail maintenance fund, the Sport New Zealand rural travel fund, and the Creative Communities Scheme fund.

Application forms will soon be on Council’s website and people will be able to submit applications online, within the advertised time frames.

The first group of funds, which opens for applications on 1 February, is for:

Community project – grants will assist projects that maintain and/or enhance residents’ quality of life in the district.

Community events – grants will support new events and/or build capacity of existing events. Events must be smoke-free, sun-smart and work towards zero waste.

Biodiversity – grants are for projects that aim to protect, maintain or restore biodiversity.

Heritage – grants are for buildings or items listed in the District Plan and funding must be used for specialised maintenance, such as replacing cladding or fittings that preserve or restore the heritage state of the building.

Community development (infrastructure) - for the development or maintenance of memorial and community halls and reserve board infrastructure.

Community development (agency) - grant is for community organisations to contribute towards operational costs, including rent or salaries. Examples of agencies that have been successful in the past include support services for single-parent families, exercise classes for the elderly, training and support services including specific youth support and health services.

Community libraries – this grant supports the district’s independently operated community libraries that provide their residents with information, education, economic regeneration, culture, diversity and recreation.

School holiday programmes - in the past this has been used by groups such as Mid Canterbury Rural Women to provide healthy cooking classes to youth, and for activities such as kite-making and other art and craft projects for children at the South Rakaia settlement.

Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish said groups should be doing their homework now to see if any projects in the next six months might qualify for funding help.

“We have $245,000 to give out in grants, and that’s money that could really boost some local projects, programmes and ideas.”

Three more funds open for applications on 1 March.

The new walking and cycling trail maintenance fund is to assist projects that maintain  tracks in the district.

The purpose of the Sport New Zealand rural travel fund is to help subsidise travel for junior sports teams taking part in sport competitions. Sports clubs and school teams with young people aged between 5 and 19 can apply.

Individuals and groups can apply for Creative Communities Scheme funding towards their art projects. This includes projects that relate to craft or object art, literature, murals, visual arts, dance, music, film, theatre, Ngā toi Māori, and Pacific arts. The project can be in the form of an exhibition, performance, workshop or simply about creation.

For specific funding criteria and eligibility, please visit our website ashburtondc.govt.nz (grants page).