Submit Applications for Youth Empowerment Fund (New Zealand)

The Youth Empowerment Fund supports young people aged 13–24 in the Horowhenua District to deliver community projects and pursue personal development opportunities. The Horowhenua District Council provides NZD 17,000 annually, with grants of up to NZD 2,000 for community initiatives and NZD 500 for individual development activities.

About the Program

The Youth Empowerment Fund is an initiative of the Horowhenua District Council that helps young people transform innovative ideas into meaningful action. The fund encourages youth leadership by supporting projects that create positive community impact while also investing in the personal growth, skills, and talents of young people.

The program provides two funding streams:

Community Project Grants for youth-led initiatives that benefit the community.
Personal Development Grants for individuals pursuing learning, skills development, or talent-building opportunities.

The overall aim is to empower young people to become active contributors to their communities while developing the knowledge, confidence, and experience needed for future success.

Funding Summary

Total Annual Funding Available: NZD 17,000
Community Project Grants: Up to NZD 2,000
Personal Development Grants: Up to NZD 500
Project Completion Deadline: Projects must be completed or operational by the end of 2026.

Program Objectives

The Youth Empowerment Fund aims to:

Encourage youth leadership and participation.
Support projects that create positive community outcomes.
Develop young people’s skills, knowledge, and confidence.
Promote innovation and community engagement.
Help young people achieve personal development goals.
Invest in sustainable youth-led initiatives.

Funding Streams

Community Project Grants

Community Project Grants support youth-led initiatives that deliver positive outcomes for:

Local youth communities
The wider Horowhenua community
New Zealand communities
Global communities

Projects should demonstrate meaningful community impact and, where possible, continue operating without requiring ongoing funding.

Personal Development Grants

Personal Development Grants support individual opportunities that help young people:

Learn new skills
Develop existing talents
Participate in educational activities
Achieve personal goals
Build leadership and life skills
Enhance future education or career opportunities

Funding must be linked to a clearly defined personal development activity.

Eligible Activities

Examples of eligible activities include:

Community Projects

Youth-led community initiatives
Environmental projects
Community awareness campaigns
Volunteer activities
Cultural or creative projects
Youth wellbeing initiatives
Local improvement projects
Community events

Personal Development

Training courses
Workshops
Leadership programmes
Educational opportunities
Skill development activities
Talent development programmes
Learning experiences

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

Be between 13 and 24 years of age.
Live in or attend school within the Horowhenua District.
Be located in one of the eligible communities, including:
- Levin
- Foxton
- Shannon
- Tokomaru
- Manakau

Both individuals and youth groups may apply, depending on the funding stream.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must also meet the following requirements:

Submit a timeline showing when grant funds will be spent.
Include important project or activity dates.
Have a pre-determined fund-holder (such as a school or organisation) that can receive funding on their behalf.
Complete or have the project operational by the end of 2026.

Community Project Requirements

Community project applications must:

Deliver positive community impact.
Explain how the project creates meaningful change.
Demonstrate sustainability where possible.
Describe any assistance required from Horowhenua District Council staff.
Include a short video explaining or showcasing the project.

Personal Development Requirements

Applicants seeking personal development funding must:

Clearly identify the activity being supported.
Explain how the activity contributes to learning, skill development, or talent growth.
Ensure the activity is not already funded through a group application.

Who is Not Eligible?

The following are not eligible:

Young people under 13 years of age.
Individuals over 24 years of age.
Applicants who do not live in or attend school within the Horowhenua District.
Individual applications for activities already covered under a group application.

Why This Fund Matters

The Youth Empowerment Fund enables young people to take leadership roles in addressing community challenges while supporting their personal growth and development. By investing in youth-led ideas and learning opportunities, the fund helps strengthen local communities and equips young people with valuable skills for future education, employment, and civic participation.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to submit a successful application:

Confirm that you meet the age and location eligibility requirements.
Decide whether to apply for a Community Project Grant or a Personal Development Grant.
Develop a clear project or activity plan.
Prepare a timeline showing how and when funding will be used.
Arrange for a school or eligible organisation to act as the grant fund-holder.
Record a short video if applying for a Community Project Grant.
Complete and submit the application with all required information before the closing date.

Tips for Applicants

Clearly explain the benefits of your project or activity.
Demonstrate how the funding will create positive outcomes.
Provide a realistic timeline and budget.
Highlight long-term community impact where applicable.
Make your video engaging and easy to understand.
Ensure all supporting information is complete before submission.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying without meeting the age or residency requirements.
Forgetting to include a project timeline.
Not arranging an eligible fund-holder.
Submitting a community project without the required video.
Providing unclear project objectives or expected outcomes.
Applying individually for an activity already included in a group application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Youth Empowerment Fund?

The Youth Empowerment Fund is a Horowhenua District Council initiative that provides grants to young people for community projects and personal development opportunities.

How much funding is available?

The Council provides NZD 17,000 annually, with grants of up to NZD 2,000 for community projects and up to NZD 500 for personal development activities.

Who can apply?

Young people aged 13 to 24 who live in or attend school in the Horowhenua District are eligible to apply.

What types of projects are supported?

The fund supports youth-led community initiatives that create positive social impact, as well as personal development activities that build skills, knowledge, and talents.

Is a fund-holder required?

Yes. Funding must be paid to a pre-determined fund-holder, such as a school or eligible organisation, on behalf of the applicant.

Are community project applicants required to submit a video?

Yes. Community project applications must include a short video that helps explain and showcase the proposed project.

When must funded projects be completed?

Projects must be completed or operational by the end of 2026.

Conclusion

The Youth Empowerment Fund provides valuable financial support for young people who want to make a positive difference in their communities or invest in their own personal growth. By supporting youth-led projects and development opportunities, the program encourages leadership, innovation, and lasting community impact across the Horowhenua District.