ABOUT THE FUND
At the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, our work guides and supports the region's environmental health and sustainable development. This mahi is focused around four outcomes we're working towards: a healthy environment, freshwater for life, safe and resilient communities, and a vibrant region.
The School Sustainability and Resilience Fund supports schools, kura kaupapa Māori, kōhanga reo, early childhood centres, kindergartens, tertiary institutions and other education organisations to deliver projects related to climate change and natural hazard resilience or environmental sustainability.
Key information
Schools, kura kaupapa Māori, kōhanga reo, early childhood centres, kindergartens, tertiary institutions and education organisations in the Bay of Plenty are eligible to apply to this fund.
Projects must contribute to one or more of the following categories:
- Raising awareness of climate change or natural hazards.
- Improving long-term resilience to climate change or natural hazards.
- Reducing or mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
- Improving environmental sustainability.
Applications can be made via the online application form on the 'APPLY NOW' tab between Monday 19 January and Sunday 8 March 2026.
Applicants can apply for between $1,000 and $5,000 (excl. GST) in funding for sustainability related projects, or between $1,000 and $10,000 (excl. GST) for climate change or natural hazard resilience projects.
Examples of sustainability projects include māra kai, greenhouses, rainwater tanks, worm farms and composting equipment. Projects supporting climate change or natural hazard resilience include (but are not limited to) climate change/natural hazard education, environmental monitoring, active transport, planting native plants/trees and pest animal/plant control.
Please note that the Regional Council will only fund external labour costs up to a maximum of 30% of the total project budget (i.e. if your total project costs $5,000 (excl. GST), then your labour component should be no more than $1,500 (excl. GST).
If you need advice or help with your application, please contact our team before the due date via: ssrfund@boprc.govt.nz.
- Plan your project and get quotes to support your budget.
- Complete and submit the online application form on the 'APPLY NOW' tab.
- The fun part! Involve your community in the public voting process. This fund is allocated via participatory budgeting, which means that the public decides which projects receive funding.
- Projects that are not successful in the public voting round, will get another chance as we have a second funding round that is allocated by a Youth Panel.
- The people have spoken! The winners will be announced.
Project ideas
Project ideas: climate change education, environmental monitoring, active transport, native plantings, pest control, edible gardens, rainwater tanks composting.
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
Take a look at the brilliant ideas and fantastic projects that young people all across our region have been involved in!
