The 2026 School Sustainability and Resilience Fund round will open for applications on Monday 19 January 2026.

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, kōhanga, early childhood centres, tertiary institutions and other education organisations to deliver projects related to climate change and natural disaster preparedness and environmental sustainability.

Key Information

  1. Plan your project and get quotes to support your budget.
  2. Complete and submit the application form provided on the "Apply to the fund" tab.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. The people have spoken! The winners will be announced.

Schools, kura, kōhanga, early childhood centres, 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 and understanding natural hazards and/or climate change risks.
  • Improving long-term resilience and environmental sustainability.
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Applicants can apply for up to $5,000 in funding (excl. GST) for sustainability related projects, and up to $10,000 (excl. GST) for climate change resilience/natural hazard projects.


Applications can be made between Monday 19 January and Sunday 8 March 2026.


Project ideas

Project ideas include: bike racks, climate change education, stream/wetland restoration, native plantings, pest control, edible gardens, composting set-up.

PREVIOUS PROJECTS

Take a look at the brilliant ideas and fantastic projects that young people all across our region have been involved in!

Thornton School - Field restoration and planting

Applications for the 2026 School Sustainability and Resilience Fund Round will open on Monday 19 January 2026.