LEAF - Local Environmental Action Fund

To support non-profit groups and small businesses with environmental projects that will help achieve Hawke's Bay Regional Council’s strategic goals.

Up to $500

Apply anytime

When applying for funding, please describe how your project achieves each of the criteria listed.
Please allow up to 8 weeks for your application to be processed.
Payment will be made once Hawke’s Bay regional Council receives an itemised quote relating to the project described in the application.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council must be acknowledged for our contribution in any communication or publication associated with the project. Logos and other branding can be supplied in a variety of formats.
Follow-up information should be provided to council once the project is complete.

Projects taking place in the Hawke’s Bay Region will be considered that meet the following criteria:

One off project (for each financial year) rather than an ongoing cost.
Will involve the wider community and improve the quality of the regions environment.
Are linked to relevant curricula, if intended for the formal education sector.
Include an action to enhance or protect the natural environment.
Support one or more of Hawke's Bay Regional Council’s strategic goals:
- Sustainability
- Water Futures
- Land Use Change
- Climate Change
- Renewable Energy
- Future Regional Infrastructure
- Open Space
- Economic Development
- Regional Futures Scenarios
- Regional Leadership
- Partnerships with Maori
- Investment
- Operational Activities
- Organisational Competency.
Funds allocated are to be used to purchase materials, pay for training, or hire suitably skilled persons e.g. Landscape architect for a planting project. Funding is not for wages of project staff or coordinators.
Applicant can only successfully apply once per financial year (July – June)
Projects can be on public land or on private land where the project is accessible to the public or sections of the community. If the location of the project is on land under the responsibility of another body (you don’t own it) that body must also contribute to and show their support for the project.
Must have a sound project planning and evaluation process. Projects need to show how they will be completed within 1 year of receiving funding approval.

Some examples of what can be funded:

Native bush regeneration or establishment of native plant nurseries.
Animal / plant pest control materials.
Environmental education/waste minimisation resources (worm farm, compost bin, bokashi buckets, tools and equipment).
Removal of litter (beach or river) and clean-up costs and materials.
Training costs (GrowSafe Agrichemical Course, Facilitation Training, Enviroschools Training) planning process must include how this information will be used/distributed.
Environmental monitoring or surveys.
Fencing off a stream to improve riparian margins.
Conservation of land, soil, water, air or native species.
Development of an environment education programme / game / resource.
Instillation / purchase of alternative energy technologies for non-profit groups.

Some examples of projects that will not be accepted:

Overseas travel.
Construction of buildings (excluding shade houses) or routine building maintenance.
Projects resulting in personal or commercial profit.
Projects whose sole purpose is beautification.
Purchases made before funding is granted.
Ongoing operational costs including salary / wages.
Projects that may lead to a conflict of interest for HBRC as a consent authority.
Applications that are incomplete or do not provide enough information.

HBRC welcomes the following to apply:

Environmental Education Team
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
Private Bag 6006
Napier

Phone: 06 835-9200
Fax: 06 835 3601