Empowering Communities, Enhancing Lives Fund

The 'Empowering Communities, Enhancing Lives Fund' is a $500,000 contestable fund for community projects that aim to enhance the overall well-being of the community.

If your group or organisation has a project in mind in need of funding that aims to make a positive difference in the lives of your community we want to hear from you!

As part of the three-waters reform the Government developed a $2 billion 'Better Off' funding package for councils to invest in their future and lift community wellbeing.

Ruapehu's share of the 'Better Off' package was $16,463,190 ($16.46m). This was to be paid in two tranches (amounts) of $4.12m in Tranche one and $12.35m in Tranche two.

Council consulted on how to spend the Tranche one allocation in September 2021 where we also asked for ideas on how to spend the Tranche two allocation that was due to be paid out in July 2024.

Subsequent changes to the three-waters reform saw Government cancel Tranche two but confirm the Tranche one allocation. Council then had to consider how to spend the Tranche one allocation.

Of the $4.12m still available Council decided:

• To spend $540,000 upgrading social housing in Waimarino which was not meeting healthy homes standards. This project was consulted on as part of the original September 2021 'Better Off' Fund consultation.
• Commit $3.08m toward township revitalisation projects, and,
• $500,000 toward a contestable fund to improve community wellbeing. This is the "Empowering Communities, Enhancing Lives Fund'.

The Empowering Communities, Enhancing Lives Fund is an opportunity to secure funding for projects that:

• Stand the test of time and continue to benefit generations to come.
• Aim to enhance the overall well-being of the community.
• Do not have an on-going significant cost to ratepayers for operations or maintenance.
• Have strong community and volunteer backing.

Applicants must be a legally constituted and registered group or organisation (Not-for-Profit, Charitable Trust, Incorporated Society etc), which:

• Are located in the Ruapehu District.
• Are sustainable and can demonstrate their capacity to deliver agreed outcomes.
• Can show engagement with their community on the project.
• Meet the Council’s focus and community wellbeing outcomes.

We are wanting to fund as many projects as possible across the Ruapehu District.

The criteria for the amount allocated for projects in each Community Board area will follow the DIA allocation method with the deprivation level of the area weighted at 20% and the population at 80 per cent.

• Waimarino/Waiouru Community Board 36%
• Owhango National Park Community Board 12%
• Taumarunui Ohura Community Board 52%

This methodology is to ensure that the funds are spread across the District in an equitable manner.

Council will award Funds for any District Wide projects, and Community Boards will award funds to any projects in their Community Board Area.

• Project submissions that meet the criteria will be publicised for feedback from relevent communities.
• Submitters will have the opportunity to present their project idea to Council or relevant Community Board.