Trust chief executive Barbara Bridger said the trust commissioned research into Otago’s youth sector in 2019, and gained valuable insights into how the trust might fund change and the potential of youth into the future.
"We learnt that investing in community building, and the support structures that wrap around a young person’s life, plays a powerful and protective role for our children and young people, but current funding models do not resource or support this work well."
Trust chairman Diccon Sim said the research allowed the trust to "refresh its overarching strategic plan" and develop the new Tamariki and Rangatahi Strategy.
The trust has employed a dedicated community engagement adviser and trustees and staff have worked together with the sector to develop the "exciting suite" of funds aimed at lifting the capability of young people across the region.
Up to $10 million would be invested over the next five years into organisations and initiatives that sought to support the region’s young people, especially those suffering disadvantage, discrimination, exclusion and those from the priority communities identified in the trust’s new strategic plan, he said.
The largest of the three new funds, the Impact for Tamariki and Rangatahi Fund, would open in April with an annual budget of up to $2 million.
It was intended to provide a small number of high investment grants to support projects that have the potential to be game-changing and deliver long-term intergenerational change, he said.
On July 1, the Tamariki and Rangatahi Sector Capability Fund would open and support capacity building among those working with tamariki and rangatahi.
Grants of up to $10,000 would be given to strengthen the governance and/or operational effectiveness of organisations, supporting investment in specialised training for management, staff and volunteers and enhancing cultural capability.
Larger amounts would be considered for projects with significant potential for impact or which encourage collaboration between multiple organisations.
The third fund, the Rangatahi-led Fund, would be launched in April 2023 and would be for youth, by youth and with funding decisions guided by youth.
It aimed to empower young people to initiate projects that were important to them, he said.
"This is an exciting move for the trust. We know that by investing in our tamariki and rangatahi now, we will see a significant impact on all our futures."
