The Rangatahi-Led Fund is a fund from Otago Community Trust supporting rangatahi-led projects across Otago. Four groups of rangatahi have been established across Otago, each taking the lead on the fund for their area.
Up to $100,000 is available under the fund, with the North Otago, South Otago, Ōtepoti/Dunedin and Central Otago groups all having up to $25,000 to fund rangatahi-led projects in their area.
We are so proud to share with you the rangatahi-led projects that have been funded in each area of Otago in 2024 and over time we will be able to share with you what each of these awesome projects has achieved.
In total, 7 youth-led initiatives were supported in Ōtepoti/Dunedin receiving grants totalling $24,961.58.
The funded initiatives include:
Turama ite Ara Ma’ani Rakei Performing Arts - $5,000
Workshop learning how to create and maintain costumes for Cook Island performers.
Empowering Youth Through Hoops and Wheels (Brockville Community Connect) - $5000
Basketball and skateboarding skills workshop, to celebrate the new Brockville basketball court.
Te Kāika Moana Whare Hangi (Trinity Catholic College) - $5,000
Purchasing a multikai cooker and building a shed, to cook hangi during community events.
The One World Week Project - $3,700
School holiday programme doing activities and learning how to be of service to the community, part of the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Programme in the Pine Hill neighbourhood.
Taonga Pūoro - $2,300
Workshop showcasing and making Māori instruments over Matariki weekend at Puketeraki Marae.
Class Kererū Gift (Dunedin Rudolf Steiner School) - $1,986.58
Building a climbing and balancing fort, to be gifted by the senior school student leavers to the junior school.
TANK Library - $1,975
Creating a lending library of queer titles based at Able Minds in South Dunedin.
In total, 6 youth-led initiatives were supported in North Otago, receiving grants totalling $22,637.25
The funded initiatives include:
Maheno School 150th Jubilee Song - $5,000
Filming and recording a song created for the school’s 150th jubilee.
Te Māra a Te Pōhā (He Kura Kāika Rua) - $5,000
Building a covered multiple bin compost whare at the Waitaki Community Gardens.
Waitaki Kapa Haka - $4,600
Three school kapa haka groups combining to perform at Te Hautoka, regional secondary schools kapa haka competition.
Te Kapa Haka o Hato Kewene Uniforms (St Kevin's College) - $4,387.25
School kapa haka group seeking uniforms for Polyfest performance.
Kurow Community Pool Mural (Waitaki Valley School) - $3,200
Working with a local artist to create new murals at the school’s community pool.
Ōamaru CCT Arts & Crafts Group - $450
Intellectually disabled rangatahi seeking funding for arts and crafts materials.
In total, 3 youth-led initiatives were supported in South Otago, receiving grants totalling $9,945.79.
The funded initiatives include:
The Great Greenhouse Garden (The Catlins Area School) - $4,348.29
Creating a greenhouse garden space for the school garden club to promote healthy eating and sustainability.
Lawrence Area School Outdoor Garden Classroom - $4,049.50
Creating an outdoor garden space to grow vegetables, plants to attract insects and reduce waste through composting and a worm farm.
Milton Primary School Rainbow Colour Run - $1,548
A colour fun run for the community, organised by the senior students.
In total, 3 youth-led initiatives were supported in Central Otago, receiving grants totalling $13,021.30.
The funded initiatives include:
CromWELLBEING Outdoor Gym (Cromwell Primary School) - $5,000
Installing climbing play equipment at the school, to prevent injuries and encourage wellbeing.
Clyde School Bike Repair Station - $4,600
Installing a bike repair stand at Clyde School, for use by the school and wider community.
Junior School Play Space (The Terrace School) - $3,421.30
Contributing to the landscaping and development of an unused field at the school, as designed by the junior school students.