Our customer support office in Dunedin is closed to the public at 4.30pm on 23 December, reopening on 6 January 2025. Our Queenstown office is closed to the public at 4pm on 23 December and reopen on 16 January 2025. All phone lines will be answered 24/7 by our after-hours service during the holiday shutdown period. Wishing you festive and safe holidays!
Our customer support office in Dunedin is closed to the public at 4.30pm on 23 December, reopening on 6 January 2025. Our Queenstown office is closed to the public at 4pm on 23 December and reopen on 16 January 2025. All phone lines will be answered 24/7 by our after-hours service during the holiday shutdown period. Wishing you festive and safe holidays!
ECO Fund: Environment Community Otago Funding
Current funding round (closed): 1 March to 2 April 2024
The ECO Fund supports community-led projects that protect, enhance or promote Otago's environment. We have a general fund for community-led environmental projects and incentives funding that targets specific environmental issues.
For 2024, the total contestable environmental grant money is $918,600, available through the ECO Fund and Incentives Funding. This is made up of:
Fund | Purpose | Budget |
---|---|---|
ECO Fund General | $318,600 | |
Incentives funding | Native planting after plant pest control | $ 50,000 |
Incentives funding | Native planting for water quality | $ 50,000 |
Incentives funding | Biodiversity enhancement on protected private land | $100,000 |
Incentives funding | Sustained rabbit management | $100,000 |
Incentives funding | Large-scale biodiversity outcomes | $300,000 |
Total funding budget for 2024: $918,600
The ECO Fund supports both work on the ground and projects with an education or awareness-raising focus. Whether your project is large or small, we welcome your application.
Get involved in eco-friendly initiatives with Otago Regional Council. Submit your expression of interest online for our environmental projects and contribute to a sustainable future. Check out the easy online application process and be part of positive change in our community
Submit your final report for your completed ECO Fund project.
1 March 2024: ECO Fund round opens
2 April 2024:ECO Fund round closes
April – May 2024:Applications are reviewed
June 2024: Applicants are notified of our decision
Check that you are eligible for an ECO Fund grant.
Before applying to the ECO Fund, check which funding category to apply for.
Find out how your ECO Fund application will be assessed.
Understand the ECO Fund terms and conditions before you apply.
See what other funding may be available for Otago environmental or community projects.
Often community and catchment groups are involved in environmental enhancement projects such as wetland restorations, fencing of water ways, riparian planting or creating walkways. Parts of these projects may require resource consents from us.