Applications are now open for the Rotorua Lakes Council's $1 million community wellbeing fund - Te Rākau Tū Pakari.

The one-off fund aims to address some of the medium to long-term impacts of Covid-19 on the Rotorua community and is part of the council's 'Build Back Better' recovery plan that provides financial support to help communities adapt and build resilience.

'The focus of this pūtea is to support our community groups and organisations to adapt, respond to needs and new opportunities, support new operating models, grow capability, collaborate and innovate, as part of Covid recovery,” says the council's Strategy Group manager Jean-Paul Gaston.

Applications to the fund will be considered monthly until June 2021, or until the fund is fully allocated.

With the focus on equitable participation and increasing community resilience and social capital, the Te Rākau Tū Pakari fund is for community groups and organisations that come from a cross-section of the community sector within Rotorua.

'Essentially we're looking for kaupapa and initiatives that support the community sector to make a difference to those who need it, and help them to adapt to a new way of working whilst responding to needs and new opportunities," Jean-Paul says.

'It's also about supporting new ways of operating and growing capability, capacity and resilience. Using collaborative and innovative approaches that help to grow community participation.”

The fund is targeted to initiatives that support those who need it most, including;

· Children/tamariki, rangatahi/young people

· Māori

· Whanau/families

· People with disabilities

· People who are vulnerable

· People experiencing poverty

· Ethnic minority groups

· People experiencing isolation

· Elderly

There is no limit to the amount a group/organisation can apply for, although most successful applicants will receive between $20,000 and $60,000.

Funding decisions will be made by a committee made up of three elected members, one Te Tatau o Te Arawa representative and council staff.

Examples of community groups who can apply include;

· Not for profit, charitable organisations and social enterprises

· Local marae, hapū, iwi

· Sports clubs, codes and regional sporting bodies delivering programmes specifically to Rotorua

· Community associations or hubs

· Multicultural and ethnic community organisations/groups

· Local arts organisations/groups

· Other community-based interest groups

· Social service providers

· Only organisations/groups active in the Rotorua district and activities specific to the benefit of Rotorua district communities will be eligible​.

For more information visit Te Rākau Tū Pakari Fund.