Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
The Youth Empowerment Fund supports young people aged 13 to 24 in the Horowhenua District of New Zealand to lead community projects or pursue personal development opportunities. The fund helps youth create positive change locally, nationally, and globally through leadership, innovation, inclusion, skills development, and community engagement.
The fund has an annual pool of NZD 17,000, with grants of up to NZD 2,000 for community projects or group development opportunities and up to NZD 500 for individual personal development. Successful applicants may also receive mentorship support from specialist staff at Horowhenua District Council.
What is the Youth Empowerment Fund?
The Youth Empowerment Fund is a funding opportunity for young people in the Horowhenua District who want to bring their ideas, projects, and ambitions to life.
The fund supports youth-led community initiatives and personal development opportunities that create positive impact.
It is designed to help young people develop leadership, skills, confidence, creativity, and community connections.
Main Purpose of the Fund
The main purpose of the fund is to empower young people to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
The fund aims to:
- Support youth-led community projects
- Encourage personal development
- Promote youth leadership
- Build skills and confidence
- Foster cultural diversity and inclusion
- Strengthen community engagement
- Support sustainable initiatives
- Enable positive social change
- Help young people turn ideas into action
Geographic Focus
The fund supports young people connected to the Horowhenua District in New Zealand.
Eligible areas include:
- Levin
- Foxton
- Shannon
- Tokomaru
- Manakau
- Other communities within the Horowhenua District
Young people must either live or attend school in the Horowhenua District.
Funding Pool
The Youth Empowerment Fund provides an annual funding pool of NZD 17,000.
The fund remains open for an extended period to allow continuous applications throughout the year.
This flexible approach makes the fund more accessible for young applicants who may develop project ideas at different times.
Funding Categories
Funding is available in two main categories.
Community Projects and Group Development Opportunities
Grants of up to NZD 2,000 are available for:
- Community projects
- Youth-led initiatives
- Projects benefiting the wider community
- Group applications for development opportunities
Individual Personal Development Opportunities
Grants of up to NZD 500 are available for individual applicants pursuing:
- Personal development goals
- Skill-building opportunities
- Talent development
- Knowledge-building experiences
- National or international development opportunities
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be young people aged between 13 and 24 years.
The young person leading the project must:
- Be 13 to 24 years old
- Live in the Horowhenua District, or
- Attend school in the Horowhenua District
- Have a clear project or personal development goal
- Provide a timeline for how and when funds will be used
- Identify a pre-determined fund-holder
- Complete or have the project operational by the end of 2026
Fund-Holder Requirement
Applicants must identify a pre-determined fund-holder.
A fund-holder may be:
- A school
- A learning institution
- A community organisation
- Another suitable organisation able to manage the funds
This requirement helps ensure that grant funds are managed responsibly and used for the approved purpose.
Project Completion Requirement
Projects must be completed or operational by the end of 2026.
Applicants should provide a realistic timeline showing:
- When the project will begin
- Key activities or milestones
- When funds will be used
- When the project will be completed or operational
What Types of Community Projects Are Supported?
Community projects must demonstrate a positive impact on youth communities or the wider community.
Supported projects may benefit:
- Local youth communities
- The wider Horowhenua community
- New Zealand
- Global communities
Examples of supported project themes may include:
- Youth leadership initiatives
- Inclusion-focused activities
- Cultural diversity projects
- Community engagement activities
- Sustainable youth-led projects
- Skills development initiatives
- Social change campaigns
- Youth-led community improvement projects
Priority for Sustainable Projects
Sustainable projects that can continue beyond the funding period will receive higher priority.
A sustainable project may include:
- Ongoing community benefit
- Long-term youth participation
- Continued use of project resources
- Strong partnerships
- Local ownership
- A plan for continuation after grant funding ends
Personal Development Funding
Personal development funding supports specific opportunities that help young people develop skills, talents, and knowledge.
Funding may support:
- National opportunities
- International opportunities
- Training or development experiences
- Skill-building programmes
- Talent development activities
- Leadership or learning opportunities
Personal development funding cannot be used for tertiary study or class-related activities.
What is Not Eligible?
Certain projects and activities are not eligible for funding.
Ineligible activities include:
- Projects with religious purposes
- Projects with religious content
- Projects affiliated with political parties
- Tertiary study costs
- Class-related activities
- Projects not managed by a school, learning institution, or community group
Some politically focused initiatives may be considered, but projects affiliated with political parties are not eligible.
Video Requirement
Applicants must submit a short video showcasing their project.
The video should clearly explain:
- The project idea
- The young person or group leading it
- The community need or opportunity
- Expected impact
- Why the project matters
- How the funding will help
Support from Horowhenua District Council
Applicants are required to specify any support they may need from Horowhenua District Council.
Successful projects may receive mentorship support from specialist council staff.
This support can help young people strengthen project planning, delivery, communication, and community impact.
Key Concepts Explained
Youth-Led Project
A youth-led project is an initiative where young people play a central role in planning, designing, leading, and delivering the activity.
Personal Development
Personal development refers to opportunities that help young people build skills, knowledge, confidence, leadership ability, or talent.
Community Impact
Community impact means the positive change a project creates for people, groups, places, or wider society.
Sustainable Project
A sustainable project is one that can continue creating value beyond the initial funding period.
Fund-Holder
A fund-holder is an approved organisation, such as a school or community group, that manages grant funds on behalf of the young applicant or project team.
How the Fund Works
Young people apply for funding to support either a community project or a personal development opportunity.
Applications are assessed based on eligibility, impact, sustainability, youth leadership, and alignment with the fund’s purpose.
Successful applicants may receive funding and mentorship support to help implement their idea.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear application that explains their idea, eligibility, timeline, funding need, and expected impact.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the lead applicant is aged 13 to 24.
- Confirm that the applicant lives or attends school in the Horowhenua District.
- Choose the correct funding category: community project or personal development.
- Prepare a clear description of the project or opportunity.
- Explain how the initiative will create positive impact.
- Identify a school, learning institution, or community group to manage the funds.
- Prepare a timeline showing how and when the funds will be used.
- Confirm that the project will be completed or operational by the end of 2026.
- Specify any support needed from Horowhenua District Council.
- Create and submit a short video showcasing the project.
- Submit the application according to the fund’s requirements.
Assessment Considerations
Applications may be assessed based on youth leadership, community benefit, feasibility, and alignment with the fund’s goals.
Assessment may consider:
- Age and location eligibility
- Strength of the project idea
- Youth leadership and involvement
- Positive community impact
- Sustainability beyond the funding period
- Cultural diversity and inclusion
- Skills and leadership development
- Clear timeline
- Suitable fund-holder
- Quality of the short video
- Need for council support
- Feasibility of completing or operating the project by the end of 2026
Expected Results
Funded projects and opportunities should help young people grow and create positive change.
Expected results may include:
- Stronger youth leadership
- Increased skills and confidence
- Greater youth participation in community life
- More inclusive local initiatives
- Stronger community engagement
- Positive social change
- Personal development for young people
- Sustainable youth-led projects
- Improved cultural diversity and inclusion
- Wider benefits for Horowhenua communities
Why It Matters
Young people have ideas, energy, and lived experience that can help shape stronger communities.
However, many young people need funding, mentorship, and practical support to turn their ideas into action.
The Youth Empowerment Fund helps remove barriers by supporting youth-led projects and personal development opportunities that build leadership, skills, inclusion, and positive community change.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly show youth leadership, community benefit, and a realistic plan.
Applicants should focus on:
- Clear project idea
- Strong youth involvement
- Positive impact on youth or the wider community
- Realistic timeline
- Suitable fund-holder
- Clear explanation of how funds will be used
- Sustainable outcomes
- Inclusion and cultural diversity where relevant
- Specific support needed from council
- Strong short video presentation
Applicants should make sure the project is practical, youth-led, and achievable by the end of 2026.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should carefully check eligibility and funding requirements before applying.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying outside the 13 to 24 age range
- Not living or attending school in the Horowhenua District
- Failing to identify a fund-holder
- Providing an unclear timeline
- Not submitting a short video
- Proposing a project with religious purposes or content
- Submitting a project affiliated with a political party
- Requesting personal development funding for tertiary study
- Requesting funding for class-related activities
- Not explaining community impact
- Not showing how the project will be completed or operational by the end of 2026
FAQ
What is the Youth Empowerment Fund?
The Youth Empowerment Fund supports young people in Horowhenua District to lead community projects or pursue personal development opportunities that create positive change.
How much funding is available?
The annual funding pool is NZD 17,000. Grants of up to NZD 2,000 are available for community projects or group development opportunities, and grants of up to NZD 500 are available for individual personal development.
Who can apply?
Young people aged 13 to 24 who live or attend school in the Horowhenua District can apply.
Which areas are included in Horowhenua District?
Eligible areas include Levin, Foxton, Shannon, Tokomaru, Manakau, and other communities within the Horowhenua District.
What can community project funding support?
Community project funding can support youth-led initiatives that benefit local youth communities, the wider Horowhenua community, New Zealand, or global communities.
Can personal development funding support tertiary study?
No. Personal development funding cannot be used for tertiary study or class-related activities.
Are religious or political projects eligible?
Projects cannot have religious purposes or content. Projects affiliated with political parties are not eligible, although some politically focused initiatives may be considered.
Conclusion
The Youth Empowerment Fund helps young people in Horowhenua District turn ideas, ambitions, and development goals into action. With an annual pool of NZD 17,000, the fund supports youth-led community projects, group opportunities, and personal development activities that build leadership, skills, inclusion, sustainability, and positive social change.
Strong applications will demonstrate youth leadership, clear community impact, a realistic timeline, an appropriate fund-holder, sustainable outcomes, and a compelling short video that explains why the project or opportunity matters.
For more information, visit Horowhenua District Council.