Community groups in the Ashburton District are being encouraged to think about projects that could qualify for funding as the first round of community grants and funding opens for applications.

Council grants about $300,000 annually, and last year’s recipients included a rugby club renovating its bathroom facilities, a women’s group teaching kids how to cook and a rural school pool in desperate need of repair.

Group Manager Democracy and Engagement Toni Durham said projects could be as small as buying a heat pump or as large as replacing carpet in a well-used community hall, and groups should start thinking now about projects that might qualify.

Grant applications will be accepted all through February and community groups and project organisers are encouraged check if they meet the criteria.

“Many of the grants Council gives are on a smaller scale, but they make a huge difference to the people seeking them, while the more substantial grants have the ability to help get major projects off the ground that benefit of the whole district,” she said.

“In the last year, grants were used for everything from helping to write a book about the history of the Ashburton fire brigade to controlling sycamores and holly on a special piece of land. If you are part of a group or project that provides a benefit to our community, then there’s a good chance it may be eligible for one of the community grants.”

The available grants include those for community development, biodiversity, heritage and trail maintenance. A second round of grants will open in March and include funds from the Creative Communities Scheme and travel costs for junior sports teams.

Mrs Durham encourages any organisation or group that has questions or needs assistance with their application to get in touch with the Council.

Applications for the first round of grants will close on 28 February, and people can find out more and apply online at ashburtondc.govt.nz/grants.

The grants available include:

• Community Project Grant - Funding for projects that maintain or enhance residents’ quality of life.
• Community Agency Grant - Helping community organisations with their operational costs.
• Community Events Grant - Funding for new community events or building the capacity of existing events.
• Community Infrastructure Grant - Support for the development and maintenance of memorial and community halls, and reserve board infrastructure.
• School Holiday Programme Grant - Support for school holiday programmes that cater for children aged 5-14 years.
• Heritage Grant - Support for maintenance that preserves or restores a heritage building or item.
• Biodiversity Grant - Funding for projects that aim to protect, maintain or restore biodiversity.
• Trail Maintenance Grant – Funding for volunteer-led walking, hiking, cycling and mountainbiking trails in Mid Canterbury.