The Whanganui Welcoming Activities Grant supports community activities and initiatives that help newcomers feel welcomed, connected and included in Whanganui.
Photo credit: Karina Hunt, Asia Pacific Festival event
Photo credit: Karina Hunt, Asia Pacific Festival event
Photo credit: Karina Hunt, Asia Pacific Festival event
Photo credit: Karina Hunt, Asia Pacific Festival event
Photo credit: Karina Hunt, Asia Pacific Festival event
Community groups and organisations can apply for up to $1000 to support activities that improve newcomer experiences in Whanganui.
Successful activities must align with the Whanganui Welcoming Communities vision and at least one of the eight outcomes of the Welcoming Communities Standard for New Zealand.
For the purposes of this grant, “newcomers” include recent migrants, former refugees and international students. While the fund is focused on supporting these groups, activities may also positively benefit people relocating from elsewhere in Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider community.
Application dates
The Welcoming Activities Grant is offered through four funding rounds each year:
Application Process
Before applying, please read through the documents below to ensure your intended activity meets the criteria for this fund:
Read the Welcoming Activities Grant overview
Read the Welcoming Communities Plan 2023-2027
Outcomes
Applications should demonstrate alignment with at least one of the following Welcoming Communities outcomes:
- Inclusive Leadership
Local government, tangata whenua and other community leader’s work together to create, advocate for and continue to foster a welcoming and inclusive community. They lead a shared plan to increase connections between newcomers and existing residents.
- Welcoming Communications
People of all cultures and backgrounds feel included, listened to and well informed through a range of ways that take into account their different communication needs.
- Equitable Access
Opportunities to access services and activities and to participate in the community are available to all, including newcomers.
- Connected and Inclusive Communities
People feel safe in their identity and that they are connected with and belong in the community. There are high levels of trust and understanding between members of the receiving community and newcomers.
- Economic Development, Business and Employment
Communities maximise and harness the economic development opportunities that newcomers can offer. Councils work with business associations to promote the contribution that newcomer business owners and skilled migrants make to the region’s economy.
- Civic Engagement and Participation
Newcomers feel welcome to fully participate in the community. Newcomers are active in all forms of civic participation.
- Welcoming Public Spaces
Newcomers and receiving communities feel welcome in and comfortable using public spaces.
- Culture and Identity
There is a shared sense of pride in being part of a culturally rich and vibrant community. People feel their culture is respected and valued by other members of the community. There are opportunities to learn about each other’s cultures.
Who can apply
Community groups, organisations and collaborations whose projects, events or initiatives clearly benefit newcomers to Whanganui can apply. Activities can involve multiple groups.
To be eligible for a grant, applicants must:
What activities can be funded
Funding may be used for:
Funding cannot be used for:
What makes a strong application?
Strong applications will:
How to apply
Applications are assessed at the end of each funding round, with applicants being notified of the outcome within two weeks of the funding round closing.
Applicants should clearly describe:
For payment purposes, applicants will need to be linked with a group or organisation with a bank account or established as a legal entity. This may be in the form of a nominated ‘umbrella organisation’ to oversee the grant on their behalf.
Successful applicants will be required to provide a short summary report within six months of completing the funded activity. Where possible, applicants are also asked to provide high-quality photos and/or video content suitable for digital and social media promotion of the fund. This content may be used by the council to promote the Welcoming Communities programme and future funded activities.