Environmental Leaders Action Fund 2026-2027 (New Zealand)

The Environmental Leaders Action Fund provides grants of up to NZ$2,000 to schools and early childhood education (ECE) centres within New Zealand’s Horizons Region for environmental action projects. The fund supports initiatives that promote sustainability, environmental education, freshwater protection, biodiversity, and biosecurity while encouraging children and young people to become environmental leaders through hands-on learning.

Environmental Leaders Action Fund

About the Environmental Leaders Action Fund

The Environmental Leaders Action Fund supports schools and early childhood education (ECE) centres in the Horizons Region to deliver practical environmental action projects that align with Council strategic priorities and community outcomes.

The fund is delivered through the Enviroschools programme, which empowers children and young people to develop leadership skills in sustainability by exploring environmental challenges, designing solutions, making informed decisions, and taking meaningful action within their schools and communities.

In addition to financial support, the programme offers free environmental learning sessions and educational resource kits to schools and ECE centres that wish to strengthen environmental knowledge and encourage sustainable practices.

Purpose of the Fund

The Environmental Leaders Action Fund aims to:

• Support student-led environmental action projects.
• Promote sustainability education.
• Encourage environmental leadership among children and young people.
• Improve local ecosystems through practical action.
• Strengthen community involvement in environmental protection.
• Support projects that contribute to Council priorities and positive community outcomes.

Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following priority areas:

• Culture of sustainability
• Environmental education
• Learning about the environment
• Outdoor environmental learning
• Environmental action projects
• Freshwater conservation
• Biodiversity protection
• Biosecurity
• Pest plant management
• Pest animal awareness

Funding Available

Successful applicants may receive:

• Up to NZ$2,000 per school or ECE centre

Funding is available for action projects that clearly contribute to environmental learning and sustainability outcomes.

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Native biodiversity restoration activities.
• Freshwater conservation initiatives.
• Student-led sustainability campaigns.
• Environmental monitoring projects.
• Habitat restoration.
• Native planting activities.
• Biosecurity awareness programmes.
• School-based environmental investigations.
• Community environmental action projects.
• Hands-on learning activities linked to sustainability.

Projects should actively involve children and young people throughout planning, learning, and implementation.

What Is Not Funded?

The fund does not support:

• Fences
• Paths
• Mulch
• Pergolas
• Tables
• Chairs
• Shade sails
• General beautification projects
• Wet weather clothing or gear
• Staff wages
• Contractor costs
• Koha
• Pest control traps

Applicants should ensure their proposed budget excludes these ineligible expenses.

Who Is Eligible?

The fund is open to:

• Schools located within the Horizons Region.
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres within the Horizons Region.

Applicants should have an interest in environmental learning and be committed to involving children in sustainability-focused action projects.

Why This Fund Matters

The Environmental Leaders Action Fund encourages young people to become active environmental stewards by combining education with real-world action.

The programme helps participants:

• Develop environmental leadership skills.
• Build knowledge of sustainability issues.
• Improve local ecosystems.
• Strengthen community engagement.
• Encourage lifelong environmental responsibility.
• Support healthier natural environments for future generations.

How the Enviroschools Programme Supports Applicants

Through the Enviroschools programme, participating schools and ECE centres can access:

• Free environmental education sessions.
• Learning resource kits.
• Practical sustainability guidance.
• Support for environmental investigations.
• Opportunities to integrate environmental learning into education.

These resources help schools design meaningful projects that create lasting environmental and educational outcomes.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a clear and well-structured proposal.

Step 1: Identify an Environmental Issue

Choose a local environmental challenge that is meaningful for students and the wider community.

Step 2: Explain the Investigation

Describe:

• How the project idea developed.
• What students discovered during their investigation.
• Why the chosen project is important.

Step 3: Describe the Action Project

Clearly explain:

• What activities will be undertaken.
• How students will participate.
• Expected environmental outcomes.

Step 4: Demonstrate Learning Opportunities

Explain how tamariki (children) will:

• Learn about the environment.
• Participate in decision-making.
• Develop practical sustainability skills.
• Take environmental action.

Step 5: Prepare Supporting Documents

Include:

• Project plan.
• Itemised budget.
• Cost breakdown.
• Supplier quotations where required.
• Realistic project timeline.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Submit the completed proposal together with all required supporting documents before the application deadline.

Application Requirements

A strong application should include:

• Clear project description.
• Explanation of how the project originated.
• Environmental investigation findings.
• Learning opportunities for tamariki.
• Detailed implementation plan.
• Budget breakdown.
• Supporting quotations.
• Realistic timeframe.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your application:

• Involve students in project planning.
• Demonstrate clear educational outcomes.
• Show measurable environmental benefits.
• Link the project to Council priorities.
• Prepare an accurate and realistic budget.
• Include detailed implementation timelines.
• Provide all requested supporting documents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

• Requesting funding for ineligible items.
• Submitting incomplete budgets.
• Omitting supplier quotations.
• Failing to explain student involvement.
• Providing unrealistic timelines.
• Focusing only on beautification instead of environmental outcomes.
• Not demonstrating links to sustainability priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Environmental Leaders Action Fund?

It is a grant programme that supports schools and ECE centres in the Horizons Region to deliver environmental action projects that promote sustainability and environmental education.

How much funding is available?

Eligible schools and ECE centres can receive up to NZ$2,000 for approved projects.

Who can apply?

Schools and early childhood education centres located within the Horizons Region are eligible to apply.

What types of projects are supported?

Projects related to sustainability, freshwater, biodiversity, environmental education, environmental action, and biosecurity are eligible.

Can the funding be used for school infrastructure?

No. The fund does not support infrastructure such as fences, furniture, paths, pergolas, shade sails, or general beautification works.

What should be included in the application?

Applications should include a project description, explanation of the environmental investigation, learning opportunities for children, project plan, budget, quotations, and implementation timeline.

Why is student participation important?

The programme encourages children and young people to become environmental leaders by actively participating in investigating environmental issues, planning solutions, and implementing sustainability projects.

Conclusion

The Environmental Leaders Action Fund provides schools and early childhood education centres in the Horizons Region with valuable financial support to turn environmental learning into meaningful action. By funding student-led sustainability projects focused on biodiversity, freshwater, biosecurity, and environmental stewardship, the programme helps young people build practical skills, strengthen community connections, and become future environmental leaders while creating lasting benefits for both their schools and local environments.