Tariana Turia

Tariana Turia today announced the opening of the 2010 funding round of the Community Development Scheme.

The scheme helps build stronger and more capable communities, hapū and iwi by enabling them to determine what development is in their best interests.

"The Crown-funded Community Development Scheme works to help local people come up with solutions to local issues.

"The scheme pays the salary of a community development worker who helps important community initiatives and great ideas to flourish.

"Communities get the help they need to help themselves through the Community Development Scheme. By bringing people together to identify how they can tackle important local issues, the community development worker can focus their expertise on the kinds of projects communities really need."

During each funding round, applications for the scheme are invited from community organisations based in specific regions. One project will be funded in each area.

This year's funding is available to establish 10 new projects in these priority territories:

North Shore City Manurewa (suburb) Hauraki and/or Matamata - Piako Districts Wairoa District Central Hawke's Bay District Wellington City Mackenzie and/or Timaru and/or Waimate Districts Kaikoura and / or Hurunui Districts Dunedin City Gore and/or Clutha Districts

Applications to the scheme must be submitted by 4pm Monday 22 March 2010. To be funded by the scheme, which is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs, applicants are required to be well governed, managed and audited and must meet specific criteria.

For more information about the Community Development Scheme, or an application form please call 0800 824 824 or visit www.dia.govt.nz