July 2024 - Environmental Initiatives Fund

The purpose of the Environmental Initiatives Fund (EIF) is to support community groups undertaking projects which enhance ecological outcomes, or those that provide environmental education and/or raise community awareness of the benefits of preserving and restoring our regions unique native biodiversity.

All applications are assessed against the following criteria (not in any particular order):

Fit with Council’s regional outcomes, strategic priorities, and policies

How the project fits within the Council's Strategic Direction for 2023 - 2025. A link to the Strategic Direction can be found here. 

Environmental enhancement

How the project will directly promote, enhance or protect the Waikato region’s environment, with a focus on improved ecological and biodiversity outcomes.

Community participation and awareness

How the project involves iwi Māori, the wider community and increases public awareness of environmental issues. What is the level of mana whenua and community support for the project.

Collaboration and partnership

Whether the applicants have explored and developed any opportunities for collaboration and partnership with others, including any co-funding and support from other parties. 

Viability

The likelihood of the project’s success and the applicant’s capability to deliver the outcomes of the project.

Value to mana whenua

Relative to the scale of the project, how the project involves iwi Māori including their cultural values, interests and associations, the effect on Māori historic heritage or the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, waahi tapu and other taonga including fauna and flora.