ECCT earmarks $4M for youth development

Eastern and Central Community Trust Chair, Georgina Morrison, says she is thrilled to reach this point of the organisation’s Youth Strategy, which aims to support rangatahi to reach their potential.

The $4M commitment, which begins on 1 April 2022, follows on from Eastern and Central Community Trust’s Rangatahi-led Fund pilot, which was launched in February and managed by ECCT’s Rōpū Taiohi, which consists of 15 members aged between 16 and 25 years.

Rōpū Taiohi member, Molly Fuauli, of Horowhenua, says that with every dollar that comes out of the investment, a chain of opportunities, leadership, inspiration and positive connections follows. “This means we get a shot at authentic change for a kinder tomorrow,” Molly says. “It brings fulfilment knowing that we had the chance to be part of that.”

To date 24 projects have been funded through the pilot, to a combined total of $47,667. Applications for rangatahi-led projects and events continue to be welcomed from individuals and groups of rangatahi, aged between 12-24 years.

Projects funded across the region so far include hosting a wānanga at a local marae, running an environmental project, creating a community garden and running community workshops on a range of topics including promoting te reo Māori.

Fellow Rōpū Taiohi member, Mihikotukutuku-Maira Lawson, from Dannevirke, says the main thing about this funding is that it should all be rangatahi-led, meaning rangatahi have come up with the idea and are running it. “Adults can help support and guide rangatahi with their project and the application, but it all has to come from rangatahi.”

There is no closing date for the Rangatahi-Led Fund and applications will be considered monthly. To apply, or for more information, visit ECCT's website at ecct.org.nz or email rangatahi@ecct.org.nz