The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office (Recovery Office) will today launch its Storm Recovery Community Grant programme to support community-led recovery initiatives.
The new programme will provide grants of up to $10,000 each to residents’ groups and collectives.
“We know from local and international examples that the most successful disaster recoveries are led and resourced by local communities,” says Group Community and Social Recovery Lead, Linda Greenalgh.
“Since the weather events, we’ve seen extraordinary examples from across Tāmaki Makaurau of residents coming together to provide support, practical assistance and to advocate for the needs and aspirations of their communities. We want to ensure they have the resources they need to continue doing this wonderful work.”
The first grant round will run from Monday 20 November until Monday 11 December, with a second round opening in early 2024. The programme’s grant criteria reflect that each affected community has unique needs, and even the needs of the micro-neighbourhoods within communities can vary greatly.
“For example, residents’ groups can apply for a grant to help provide their communities with the practical support they need here and now – whether that’s to run workshops on house repair or tenancy advocacy, for administrative or facilitation support, or to deliver a series of neighbourhood events to build resilience and connections. It might be a mix of a number of these things,” said Ms Greenalgh.
“We recognise recovery needs vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, and trust that communities know best what they need. We want to harness the creativity and lived experience of communities and we’re excited to see the different ways the funding is used in different communities.”
Apply for a Storm Recovery Community Grant using the Smarty Grants form. The first funding round is open from 20 November – 11 December. The Recovery Office will contact successful applicants by Friday 22 December. A second grant round will open in early 2024.
