2nd September 2021 Youth Community Mental Wellbeing Fund – Apply Now! Please see below information about new funding available for those that work with youth. Important to know that they’re willing to fund existing initiatives. Please see the following background from the Ministry: The Ministry has launched a $1 million fund for grassroots initiatives that are supporting the mental wellbeing of youth through the impacts of COVID-19 - see the media release here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-delivers-early-funding-youth-mental-health There is a very short time frame for applications i.e. cut off 6th September. The Youth Community Mental Wellbeing Fund will provide grants of up to $100,000, with a priority given to youth in Northland and Auckland and those disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 response, including Pasifika. We know that the impacts are likely to be greater for the Pacific community and young people in New Zealand. Research on the impacts of lockdowns in 2020 indicate youth may be more vulnerable due to their life stage and the fact housing and employment is typically more transient. Meanwhile, Delta has permeated the Pacific community in Auckland especially. We want to support community initiatives that are already doing good work, or that can stand up quickly, and welcome applications from a range of small organisations including (but not limited to!) sporting organisations, student associations, clubs/interest groups, faith communities, kaupapa Māori, Pacific, rainbow and other non-Government organisations etc. The range of initiatives that can assist youth during this time is broad - our focus is on supporting grassroots community initiatives. It’s important that we are not too prescriptive, because we want to be flexible and responsive to the needs of different communities, who are best placed to know what would be helpful for them. Some ideas of things that may be funded through the grants are: o o o o o
Social media campaigns Virtual support – including practical support for organisation to move virtual (e.g. zoom licences or data plans) Virtual support – peer to peer, group forums, training for peer support Initiatives that alleviate distress for youth (this could be a practical focus such as period poverty initiatives) Outreach, self-help, practical advice to manage distress (e.g. navigation to services)
The application process is via the Ministry’s website from 4pm, 30 August. Applications close on 6 September, with grant funds expected to be in place for successful applicants before the end of September. You have been sent this email because you may be eligible to apply, or you may be able to help us get word about this important fund out by forwarding this email to anyone you know who may be eligible for this funding. Ngā mihi mahana i tō āwhina mai i a mātou – thanks for your help. If you have any questions please email: MHAGrants@health.govt.nz … all communications about the fund must go to that email address.