ECO Fund: Environment Community Otago Funding
Funding currently closed. New funding round expected to open March 2025
We are currently updating the ECO Fund website for the 2025 funding round.
We have put together some highlights of changes for 2025 that may help you complete an application for funding when the 2025 round opens.
Council has agreed to these updated funding categories for the 2025 ECO Fund funding round:
|
Funding category |
Objectives |
|
General (on-ground and education) |
|
|
Large Scale Biodiversity Projects |
|
|
Biodiversity enhancement on protected private land |
|
|
Sustained rabbit management |
|
|
Critical source area management on private land |
|
|
Weed removal and revegetation |
|
- Project must be located in Otago
- Project cannot be funded for more than 3 years in duration
- Project must align with the objectives of the relevant funding category (these can be found under the specific eligibility criteria)
- Management agreement(s) or relevant written permission(s) that allow the project to be completed on site must be in place before submitting your application
- Wages are capped at:
- $50,000 for the General and Large-scale Biodiversity funding categories
- $15,000 for all other funding categories
- Maintenance costs for projects previously funded by ECO Fund will only be funded up to two times
- Final reports for any previous ECO Fund grants received must be submitted using the template provided and accepted before the assessment of new applications takes place
The following will not be funded:
- Activities required by legislation, regulation, consent conditions or compliance direction
- Rabbit control costs, includes poisons (e.g. Pindone, Magtoxin) and shooting or rabbit contractor costs
- Resource consent or bylaw amendment application fees
- Projects for commercial or private gain
- Seed capital
- Non-native plants (unless assessed as appropriate for the project outcomes)
- Amenity purposes (e.g. cycleway, bridge, amenity planting)
- Retrospective costs for any projects
|
Criteria |
Funding Categories |
|||||
|
General |
Large scale biodiversity projects |
Biodiversity enhancement on protected private land |
Sustained rabbit management |
Critical source area management on private land |
Weed removal and revegetation |
|
|
Applicants |
||||||
|
Incorporated societies |
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
|
Registered charitable trusts |
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
|
Resident and ratepayer groups |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
|
Unincorporated groups |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
|
Educational institutions |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
Private / individual landholders |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
|
Groups of private landholders (multiple adjacent landholdings) |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
|
Private landowners of property/ies with the following status:
|
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
|
Iwi/hapū |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
State-owned enterprises |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
Government agencies |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
Territorial authorities |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
Projects |
||||||
|
Projects must engage or involve the community |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
Those who applied to the ECO fund last year will only see minor changes to the application form. You can view an example of a completed ECO Fund application form from 2024.
Get in touch on 0800 474 082 or email ecofund@orc.govt.nz if you wish to discuss your project and whether it is eligible with staff.
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.
ECO Fund - Expressions of Interest
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
ECO Fund final report
Submit your final report for your completed ECO Fund project.
Applications for 2024 have closed
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
Eligibility
Check that you are eligible for an ECO Fund grant.
Funding categories
Before applying to the ECO Fund, check which funding category to apply for.
Assessment criteria
Find out how your ECO Fund application will be assessed.
Funding terms & conditions
Understand the ECO Fund terms and conditions before you apply.
Non-ORC funding sources
See what other funding may be available for Otago environmental or community projects.
Funding for consents
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.
