The School Sustainability and Resilience Fund (SSRF) helps schools, early childhood centres, and education providers establish projects that support sustainable practices and build climate or natural disaster resilience for their community. From backyard composting and planting wetlands to weather monitoring and active transport, we want to enable environmentally focussed projects that help the next generation understand the science of a changing climate, the need for action, and the steps they can take to make a difference.

Applications will be accepted from educational institutions in the Bay of Plenty, which includes primary, secondary and tertiary education providers, kura, kōhanga reo, kindergartens and early childcare centres. You can apply for up to $5,000 (excl. GST) for sustainability projects, and up to $10,000 (excl. GST) for projects that support climate change and natural disaster resilience.

All eligible applications will go through a participatory budgeting process, which means that the public votes on the projects they want to see funded in their community. Projects which are unsuccessful in the public voting round go through to a 'second chance' round, where funding is allocated by a panel of rangatahi (youth) from across the Bay of Plenty.

Applications will close Sunday 8 March 2026 - but don't delay! Now is the time to design and cost your project. To find out more check out the factsheet, funding guidelines, and examples of past projects on this SSRF page on Participate: School Sustainability and Resilience Fund 2026 | Participate BOPRC

Ngā mihi,

The Community Engagement Team
Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council