The Ashburton District Council has awarded more than $24,000 to 13 local community groups as part of its second round of 2020/21 grants and funding and first round of Creative Communities Scheme funding.

Methven High Country Fete, Mid Canterbury Nepalese Association Incorporated, Methven Scarecrow Trail, United Filipinos of Mid Canterbury Incorporated and Pickleball Pro NZ each received a share of $11,430 to help fund their upcoming events. The funds will go towards advertising, event promotion, printing, signage and waste management measures.

Meanwhile, $12,967 from Creative New Zealand has been distributed to eight groups that will be used for their projects that encourage participation in the arts, support diversity and enable young people to be involved in local arts activities.

Ashburton Indian Multicultural Charitable Trust, Ashburton Baptist Preschool, Ashburton Festival of Pipe Band Music, Ashburton Multi Cultural Trust, Ashburton Operatic Society Incorporated, Ashburton Performing Arts Theatre Trust, Connecting Mid Canterbury Charitable Trust, and Zonta Club of Ashburton Charitable Trust have each received Creative Communities funding.

Creative New Zealand provides the funding to councils to distribute in their communities.

Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown says the Council is pleased to be helping so many groups make their projects a reality for residents to enjoy.

"The Council and Creative Communities grants recognise that there are many groups who give their time to create excellent opportunities for our people and we want to put our support behind these endeavours.

"We were really impressed with the quality of applications and the projects that the funding would support. After a careful selection process, we are very pleased to award close to $25,000 to these 13 deserving groups."

A breakdown of the successful applicants and their funding is available on the Council website.​

The Council's 2021/22 community grants will open in February next year and the second round of Creative Communities Scheme funding will open in March 2021.