News

Strengthening Communities Fund applications opening soon

17 April 2025

Strengthening Communities Fund Applications Open 1 May 2025

Not-for-profit groups working on projects and initiatives that help to connect and strengthen communities in the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton area may be able to get help with their costs.

Each year Christchurch City Council puts money aside in its Strengthening Communities Fund so that it can provide financial support to the many groups and organisations who are working to build community wellbeing. Each Community Board is allocated a portion of the funding to distribute locally.

Applications for Council’s Strengthening open on 1 May 2025 and close at noon on Friday 30 May 2025. Decisions are expected to be made to allocate this year’s funding at the Board’s August meeting.

Organisations will be able to apply to for Strengthening Communities Fund for locally based projects and will now apply to the one Community Board area that most of their participants come from.

In 2024, the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board allocated over $530,000 in Strengthening Communities Funding to 60 organisations operating in the Board’s area.

Grants included;

  • $8,000 to the Halswell Menzshed Trust towards their shed manager’s wages
  • $3,000 to The Lions Club of Halswell District towards the annual Carols in the Quarry event
  • $10,000 to Hei Hei Broomfield Community Development Trust towards overheads and running costs
  • $3,000 to the Christchurch City BMX Club towards operational and volunteer costs
  • $5,000 to Riccarton Leagues Club towards operation expenses
  • $1,250 to Deans Avenue Precinct Society for the Our Neighbourly Neighbourhood project.

The grants allocated can be seen in the minutes of the Board’s 25 July 2024 meeting here.

Groups can access assistance with making their applications from the community advisers in the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Governance team.

Two online sessions with identical comment have already been held – with one of them available to view. These are followed by drop-in sessions across the Board area will be held throughout April to assist groups with making their applications. No appointment is needed.

Upcoming drop in sessions

  • Thursday 24 April 5pm – 6:30pm Te Hāpua Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Road
  • Tuesday 29 April 12pm – 1:30pm Matatiki Hornby Centre, 25 Smarts Road

The advisers have put together some Frequently Asked Questions based on questions already asked in this year as well as in previous years.

In addition, along with the wealth of information on the Council website, the advisers are happy to meet 1:1 with groups by emailing halswell.hornby.riccarton@ccc.govt.nz

One off advice from the advisers:

From Helen (Community Recreation Adviser) – take time to talk to us about your application before you make it.

From Marie (Community Development Adviser) – get your application in early – don’t leave it to the last minute.

You can also request to meet separately – staff are here to help you. Email: halswell.hornby.riccarton@ccc.govt.nz