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Current funding available
For local government

The Envirolink scheme

The Foundation supports the transfer of environmental scientific knowledge to local government bodies through the Envirolink scheme.

What this scheme aims to do

The Envirolink scheme was set up in 2005 to:

  • increase the return on government investment in environmental research by increasing its use by regional councils. 
  • ensuring that environmental management by regional councils is fully informed by currently available research.

In particular, Envirolink supports regional councils by funding the development of management tools to meet local needs and translating environmental science knowledge into practical advice.

Envirolink also supports wider decision-making by regional councils: environmental information is often set alongside economic and social information as part of local government decision-making under the Local Government Act 2002.

The scheme also supports stronger links between regional councils and the environmental research, science, and technology sector in particular, and between local government and the science sector more generally.

Envirolink funding available 2009/10

Each year, the Foundation invests approximately $1.8 million in the Envirolink scheme.

This is invested through three on-demand processes:

  • Small advice grant - a small grant to provide councils with initial expert advice on proposed environmental research.
  • Medium advice grant - a larger grant to provide more detailed advice.
  • Tools development grant - to fund the development of environmental management tools for councils.

Who can apply for this funding?

The following regional councils and unitary authorities are presently eligible for Envirolink funding:

  • Northland Regional Council
  • Gisborne District Council
  • Hawkes Bay Regional Council
  • Horizons Regional Council
  • Nelson City Council
  • Marlborough District Council
  • Tasman District Council
  • West Coast Regional Council
  • Environment Southland.

Further information

For full details visit the Envirolink website, or download the Envirolink Tools Guideline (PDF 72KB).