Otago Catchment Community (OCC) chairwoman Katie Barns said the Ministry for Primary Industries had allocated $545,000 to support the network of catchment groups in Otago over the next three years.
"As this is a new fund, OCC will monitor it closely to establish what the appetite is for this kind of funding ensuring that it is fit for purpose, enabling groups to gain success, and improved environmental outcomes."
The funding stream was a way to assist catchment groups to achieve environmental goals by helping remove barriers to catchment-driven change, she said.
OCC co-ordinators worked to support established and emerging groups with a focus on water care and water quality.
Support was provided through a range of services and included assistance with group start-up and strategic direction-setting for established and emerging groups, as well as access to information and experts, and establishing funding avenues for projects.
The goal was to create opportunities for groups across Otago to work with each other, learn and build a vibrant, interconnected catchment community, Ms Barns said.
"The funding from MPI will enable OCC to expand its support to the growing number of established and emerging catchment and water care groups in Otago," she said.
