Enviroschools Action Fund

Our Enviroschools Action Fund provides schools with an opportunity to gain funding up to $5000, to help them carry out actions related to their Enviroschools vision.

The Enviroschools Action Fund is now open for applications until 30 May 2025. Learn about eligibility and funding criteria, and what's required before you apply.

Our Enviroschools Action Fund provides schools with an opportunity to gain funding up to $5000, to help them carry out actions related to their Enviroschools vision.

The Enviroschools Action Fund is now open for applications until 30 May 2025. Learn about eligibility and funding criteria, and what's required before you apply.

  • Eligibility and Criteria

    Eligibility

    This fund is for current Enviroschools only.

    This fund is made possible with support from Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council, Kaikoura District Council, Timaru District Council, Mackenzie District Council and Waimate District Council, alongside the Ashburton, Waimate and South Canterbury Kindergarten Associations.

    As such, it will only provide funding to Enviroschools within these territorial authorities.

    Criteria

    The fund is designed to support actions contributing to schools’ and centres’ Enviroschools visions.

    To be considered for funding, actions must meet these criteria:

    1. Contribute to one or more of Environment Canterbury’s long-term aspirations: 
      • Accelerate regeneration of the natural environment
      • Enable improved water and land use outcomes
      • Empowered communities taking action
      • Champion safe, reliable multi-modal transport choices
      • Prepared and resilient communities.
    2. Be underpinned by the guiding principles of Enviroschools:
      • Empowered Learners
      • Learning for Sustainability
      • Te Ao Māori
      • Respect for Diversity
      • Sustainable Communities.
    3. Be realistic for the school/centre to complete with the skills, resources, funding and time available to them. Funding must be spent by December 5, 2025.
    4. Have been discussed with your Enviroschools Facilitator and school/centre management.


    The fund will not support:

    • Organisations and/or initiatives that are primarily political
    • Any project that will exclusively result in private gain
    • Any project that is a legal obligation or condition of a resource consent
    • Any project involving the use of firearms, helicopters or dangerous chemicals.

  • Selection process and obligations

    Selection process

    Projects will be assessed by a panel of Environment Canterbury representatives on how well they meet the above criteria.

    As there is a limited amount of funding available, eligibility does not ensure that funding will be granted.

    As part of the assessment, consideration will be given to proportionate distribution of funding across the region, and the contributions of our funding partners.

    Obligations

    Successful applicants will need to meet these obligations:

    1. A representative of your school will need to sign a grant agreement.
    2. You will need to ensure you have adequate health and safety plans in place if necessary. You may be required to submit a copy of your health and safety plan (on request only).
    3. You will be required to submit a simple report on the completion of your project, or by 5 December 2025 (whichever is sooner) to show how your project is progressing and how your grant money has been spent. We will provide guidance on this.
    4. By accepting funding, you grant permission for Environment Canterbury and Enviroschools to publicly promote your project including online, in print and in the media.
    5. We expect schools to publicly acknowledge the support of Enviroschools, Environment Canterbury and your Territorial Authority when promoting your project (i.e., in newsletters, signage, media releases etc.,)
    6. We expect schools to communicate with their Enviroschools Facilitator who will be able to help make sure your project is successful and contributes to your school’s Enviroschools Vision.
    Need help? For support or feedback on this pilot fund, contact your Enviroschools facilitator or email Kimberley.forbes@ecan.govt.nz.
Page last updated: 31 May 2025, 01:00 AM