Youth Week Fund

Generation Z Fund

He Iti te Toki | From Small Beginnings

This fund supports rangatahi and tamariki aged 12-20 to deliver a community event or project to celebrate Youth Week in Whangārei.

Youth Week is a nationwide festival of events organised by young Kiwis to celebrate the talents, passion, and success of local young people. Youth Week 2024 runs from 20 to 26 May.

We want Whangārei to be a place where young people are vibrant and optimistic and are supported and encouraged to take up challenges.

No idea is too big or too small! We encourage you to apply with your original and fun ideas, even if they seem a bit crazy and if you’re not sure how to go about it. We’re here to help!

You can apply for funding to help pay for the things that you need to deliver your Youth Week event or project. You can apply as an individual or as a group, but one person will need to be the lead for the project and the funding application.

To be eligible to apply:

  • You must be based in the Whangārei district and aged between 12 and 20
  • Your event or project must happen in the Whangārei district and during Youth Week (20 to 26 May 2024)
  • The event or project must be youth-led. You can have support from an older adult, but the idea and the mahi must be yours. Adults and youth organisations with an event for Youth Week can apply to our Community Fund or Creative Communities Scheme.
  • Your event or project must provide a positive impact for local young people or the wider community.

Read our FAQs for more information about the Youth Fund or contact us for advice.

Frequently asked questions about Youth Week Fund

What is the purpose of the fund?

The fund aims to help young people to organise events for youth week and to learn and grow through the process.

Who can apply for the fund? 

To be eligible you must be between 12 and 20 years old and leading the event/project. You can apply as an individual or as part of a group. You can have an older person helping you develop your event, but the idea, the mahi, and the grant application must be youth-led.

Our organisation would like to run an event/project for Youth Week. Can we apply?

This fund is only for youth-led activities, for applicants aged 12-20.

Eligible not-for-profit organisations wanting to organise an event for Youth Week (or any time of the year) can apply to the Community Fund or Creative Communities Scheme (if arts related).

What are some examples of suitable events or projects?

We want young people to be actively involved in designing and delivering activities for Youth Week, so this is your chance to tell us what a good event or project might be (and then deliver it!).

We are keen to see events/projects that bring people together for a common purpose, which could be to share ideas, learn new things, make connections, break down barriers, celebrate, do good in the ‘hood. Some examples include:

  • Workshops to try something new
  • Talks with guest speakers
  • Public celebrations and socials (e.g., silent disco/dance, festival)
  • Expos and swap-meets
  • Community clean ups
  • Activities that support our diverse communities and offer opportunities to connect and create understanding (e.g., sharing circle)
  • Activities that address social challenges like addiction, poverty, violence, inequality, and mental wellbeing.
  • Arts, sports, environmental, health and wellbeing.

My event or project is planned for outside of Youth Week. Can I apply?

You won’t be able to apply to the Youth Fund, but we can help you put together an application to our more general Community Fund or Creative Communities Scheme (if arts related).

The criteria and requirements for these are different, so you’ll need to have a strong proposal and budget. We recommend planning for an application six months before your event.

My event or project will start in Youth Week but carry on after that. Can I apply?

Yes, you can. It may be that we only fund the Youth Week aspects of your project but support you to seek funding for the rest of your project.

How much funding can I apply for? 

You can apply for funding to help pay for the things that you need to deliver your Youth Week event or project. We can consider requests from $100 through to $2,000 from this Fund.

If you are planning a much larger event and need more than $2,000 then either the Community Fund or Creative Communities Scheme might be a better option for you. Talk to us about putting an application in to either of these.

What can I use the funds for?

You can use the funds for most costs involved to deliver your project including:

  • Venue and equipment hire – like a stage and sound system
  • Materials and consumables – like stationery, rubbish bags,
  • Marketing – like printed posters or social media boosted campaigns
  • Fees/koha for performers, speakers, helpers
  • Kai/food

What can’t I use the funds for?

There are some expenses and event types that we can’t provide funding for, and we’ve provided some examples below. We’ll let you know if there is anything on your budget that we can’t support.

  • Buying of equipment – like computers or phones
  • Merchandise – like event t-shirts (unless it is for an arts workshop)
  • Prizes and giveaways (try sponsors for these)
  • Alcohol, cigarettes, vape, or drugs
  • Sponsorship funds for individuals
  • Events/projects that are for fundraising purposes
  • Events/projects that support, endorse, or promote any commercial, political, ideological, or religious viewpoint or entity
  • Events/projects that may cause harm to people or property or pose a reputational risk to Council or other organisations.

How do I apply for the fund? 

You can apply for the fund by filling out the online application form and following through the steps.

You will need to provide some details about yourself, your project, your budget, and how you think your event will benefit the community. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers, just do what you can. Applications close 9pm on 18 March 2024.

How are the funds paid?

During the application you will be asked to nominate an organisation to look after the funds. If you are successful, the funds will go to them. Ideally, this organisation is one you know and trust, and are working closely with to help you deliver your event or project.

When is the deadline for applying? 

9:00pm on Monday 18 March 2024.

What are the criteria for selecting the funded projects? 

The funded projects will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • The uniqueness of the event idea
  • The quality of the event plan and budget
  • The potential impact and benefits of the event for the participants and the community.

How do I contact you about this fund?

You can email funding@wdc.govt.nz or phone 0800 932 463 and ask for Isaac or Cindy.

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing your amazing events!

Apply for Youth Week Fund

Online

Step 1.Complete the application form

Complete and submit the application form before 9:00pm on Monday 18 March 2024.

We will check that you and your project are eligible before moving on to the next step.

Youth Week Fund - online application form

Step 2.Meet an advisor

If your application is accepted as eligible, you will need to meet with one of our advisors to discuss your project in more detail.

Our advisor can work with you to develop your project and help you with completing your grant application (stage 3).

Step 3.Provide support documents

You will need to provide us with:

  • A Project Budget – see our Budget Template and Budget Example (both provided below)
  • Photo ID
  • Any quotes for expenses or other evidence of costs
  • Any letters of support from community leaders or organisations that endorse you and your project
  • Anything else we might need you to provide to support your application.

Budget example(PDF, 137KB) (pdf)

Budget template(XLSX, 26KB) (excel)

Step 4.Outcome of grant application

We’ll send you a letter to let you know if your application has been successful or not.

If successful, the grant will be paid into the nominated bank account in about 14 days.

It is important that you read the outcome letter as it contains your grant terms and conditions and instructions for your project so you can report back to us.

Step 5.Post-project report

After your project is finished (and no later than 15 June) complete an Accountability Report.

In this report you’ll be telling us what the grant was spent on, if you delivered the project as stated in your application, what you learnt through the process, and how successful it was (for you personally and for the community).

Accountability Report options:

  • Complete online report form OR
  • Request appointment to complete this in-person with an advisor.

By email

Step 1.Complete the application form

Complete and submit the application form before 9:00pm on Monday 18 March 2024.

Youth Week Fund application form(PDF, 206KB)

Fill in the form, scan it and email it to:

Email:  funding@wdc.govt.nz

We will check that you and your project are eligible before moving on to the next step.

Step 2.Meet an advisor

If your application is accepted as eligible, you will need to meet with one of our advisors to discuss your project in more detail.

Our advisor can work with you to develop your project and help you with completing your grant application (stage 3).

Step 3.Provide support documents

You will need to provide us with:

  • A Project Budget – see our Budget Template and Budget Example (both provided below)
  • Photo ID
  • Any quotes for expenses or other evidence of costs
  • Any letters of support from community leaders or organisations that endorse you and your project
  • Anything else we might need you to provide to support your application.

Budget example(PDF, 137KB) (pdf)

Budget template(XLSX, 26KB) (excel)

Step 4.Outcome of grant application

We’ll send you a letter to let you know if your application has been successful or not.

If successful, the grant will be paid into the nominated bank account in about 14 days.

It is important that you read the outcome letter as it contains your grant terms and conditions and instructions for your project so you can report back to us.

Step 5.Post-project report

After your project is finished (and no later than 15 June) complete an Accountability Report.

In this report you’ll be telling us what the grant was spent on, if you delivered the project as stated in your application, what you learnt through the process, and how successful it was (for you personally and for the community).

Accountability Report options:

  • Complete online report form OR
  • Request appointment to complete this in-person with an advisor.

In-person

Step 1.Complete the application form

Complete and submit the application form before 9:00pm on Monday 18 March 2024.

Youth Week Fund application form(PDF, 206KB)

Fill it in and bring into one of our Customer Service centres:

Te Iwitahi
9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Monday to Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closes: 2:00pm, 22 December 2023
Opens: 8:00am, 8 January 2024

Ruakākā service centre 
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closes: 2:00pm, 22 December 2023
Opens: 8:00am, 8 January 2024

We will check that you and your project are eligible before moving on to the next step.

Step 2.Meet an advisor

If your application is accepted as eligible, you will need to meet with one of our advisors to discuss your project in more detail.

Our advisor can work with you to develop your project and help you with completing your grant application (stage 3).

Step 3.Provide support documents

You will need to provide us with:

  • A Project Budget – see our Budget Template and Budget Example (both provided below)
  • Photo ID
  • Any quotes for expenses or other evidence of costs
  • Any letters of support from community leaders or organisations that endorse you and your project
  • Anything else we might need you to provide to support your application.

Budget example(PDF, 137KB) (pdf)

Budget template(XLSX, 26KB) (excel)

Step 4.Outcome of grant application

We’ll send you a letter to let you know if your application has been successful or not.

If successful, the grant will be paid into the nominated bank account in about 14 days.

It is important that you read the outcome letter as it contains your grant terms and conditions and instructions for your project so you can report back to us.

Step 5.Post-project report

After your project is finished (and no later than 15 June) complete an Accountability Report.

In this report you’ll be telling us what the grant was spent on, if you delivered the project as stated in your application, what you learnt through the process, and how successful it was (for you personally and for the community).

Accountability Report options:

  • Complete online report form OR
  • Request appointment to complete this in-person with an advisor.

By post

Step 1.Complete the application form

Complete and submit the application form before 9:00pm on Monday 18 March 2024.

Youth Week Fund application form(PDF, 206KB)

Fill it in and post it to:

Attn: Funding Officer
Whangarei District Council 
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

We will check that you and your project are eligible before moving on to the next step.

Step 2.Meet an advisor

If your application is accepted as eligible, you will need to meet with one of our advisors to discuss your project in more detail.

Our advisor can work with you to develop your project and help you with completing your grant application (stage 3).

Step 3.Provide support documents

You will need to provide us with:

  • A Project Budget – see our Budget Template and Budget Example (both provided below)
  • Photo ID
  • Any quotes for expenses or other evidence of costs
  • Any letters of support from community leaders or organisations that endorse you and your project
  • Anything else we might need you to provide to support your application.

Budget example(PDF, 137KB) (pdf)

Budget template(XLSX, 26KB) (excel)

Step 4.Outcome of grant application

We’ll send you a letter to let you know if your application has been successful or not.

If successful, the grant will be paid into the nominated bank account in about 14 days.

It is important that you read the outcome letter as it contains your grant terms and conditions and instructions for your project so you can report back to us.

Step 5.Post-project report

After your project is finished (and no later than 15 June) complete an Accountability Report.

In this report you’ll be telling us what the grant was spent on, if you delivered the project as stated in your application, what you learnt through the process, and how successful it was (for you personally and for the community).

Accountability Report options:

  • Complete online report form OR
  • Request appointment to complete this in-person with an advisor.