Youth-Led Funds announced for Central Otago

21 Nov 2023

Otago Community Trust is pleased to announce the recipients of its Central Otago Rangatahi-Led Fund, a fund dedicated to the young people of Central Otago.

Launched in early September, the Central Otago Rangatahi-Led Fund was created with the goal of funding projects and events led by rangatahi, which would encourage community engagement and excitement among the youth in Central Otago. The specific criteria for the fund were centred around the development of exciting experiences and creative ideas for youth in the district, that would be long lasting, promote cultural diversity and most importantly developed for youth by youth.

Leading the efforts of the Central Otago Rangatahi-Led Fund are seven dedicated Central Otago rangatahi: Noah Moody, Jessie McNeil, Morgan Calder, Izzy Miscisco, Chloe Murray, Chirlene Vorster, James Avenell. These young leaders have been actively involved in evaluating and making funding recommendations with the guidance and support of Otago Community Trust.

Otago Community Trust chief executive Jemma Adams emphasised that these funds are designed to empower young people to actively engage in the funding process, allowing them to have a say in decisions that have a positive impact on their community.

“Their involvement not only contributes to the success of the fund but also provides them with valuable leadership experience and insights into the world of philanthropy, alongside the complexities of addressing community needs.”

In nurturing the philanthropic spirit among our youth, we aim to cultivate a generation of change-makers who are not only recipients of support but active participants in building a stronger, more vibrant community for all, said Adams.

Out of a pool of six applications, four impactful Central Otago youth-led projects have been selected to receive grants totalling $14,400. The funded initiatives include:

Dunstan Legacy Project (Dunstan High School) - $2,000 - A student-led initiative to address food inequity through a lunch and breakfast program called "Whawhai Matekai" which means fighting hunger.
Rodeo Youth Camp (NZ Rodeo Cowboys Association) - $5,000 - The youth committee of the NZRCA are coordinating a three-day youth camp with rangatahi from both Australia and New Zealand, with clinics with carefully selected coaches, aiming to broaden their education, knowledge, and social circle.
Cromwell Presbyterian Youth Group (Cromwell Presbyterian Church) - $2,400 - To support weekly activities of the youth group and regular camps and meetings with other youth groups in the region.
Upper Clutha Youth Council (Kahu Youth) - $5000 - Contribution towards a mural in the new Kahu Youth Centre. Rangatahi will be involved in all aspects of the mural design and painting through weekend art workshops.

Central Otago Rangatahi-Led Fund member Izzy Miscisco (17 years) from Cromwell highlighted that the Rangatahi-Led fund was a great opportunity to learn about how grants work and everything that goes on behind the scenes.

“We had some very cool initiatives and ideas from our local youth, and supported those who had the courage to put an application in to better their community.”

The Central Otago Rangatahi-Led Fund serves as a platform for youth-led initiatives, highlighting the potential for positive change driven by young people. Otago Community Trust remains committed to nurturing a strong and empowered youth community in Otago. This initiative is the last of four Rangatahi-Led funds for the 2023 calendar year that Otago Community Trust has committed to as part of its tamariki and rangatahi strategy.

Otago Community Trust Central Otago Rangatahi Led Fund Grants, November 2023
Dunstan High School	Dunstan Legacy Project - A student-led initiative to address food inequity through a lunch and breakfast program called "Whawhai Matekai" which means fighting hunger.	$2,000
NZ Rodeo Cowboys Association	Rodeo Youth Camp - The youth committee of the NZRCA are coordinating a three-day youth camp with rangatahi from both Australia and New Zealand, with clinics with carefully selected coaches, aiming to broaden their education, knowledge and social circle.	$5,000
Cromwell Presbyterian Church	Cromwell Presbyterian Youth Group - To support weekly activities of the youth group and regular camps and meetings with other youth groups in the region.	$2,400
Kahu Youth	Upper Clutha Youth Council - Contribution towards a mural in the new Kahu Youth Centre. Rangatahi will be involved in all aspects of the mural design and painting through weekend art workshops.	$5,000