Created by Dunedin Community Builders, a volunteer network of local not-for-profit groups, the Funding for Change in Otepoti: Perspective from Dunedin’s Community Sector report highlights the opportunities and challenges funding can bring.
Community Builders member and launch MC Anna Parker said about 100 people attended the launch, ranging from community gardeners to Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins and city councillors, as well as the region’s main funders — the Dunedin City Council, Otago Community Trust, and the Department of Internal Affairs.
"This event is an opportunity to elevate and listen to the grassroots — those people who are in the thick of working for our community," Ms Parker said.
After a year of revitalisation and growth, Dunedin Community Builders became aware of the stresses facing the community sector during Covid-19 lockdown.
"We felt that it would be an opportunity to come back and do things differently, so we put together a survey to ask the community sector for their thoughts," Ms Parker said.
"We expected a handful of responses, but instead we had 40 responses from big organisations and small across the sector — including health and disability, Maori and Pasifika, and arts organisations.
"Most commented on the importance of relationships, and said they valued one-on-one meetings with funders as a way to build mutual understanding."
The resulting report, which was written by Matawai Associates on behalf of Community Builders, aimed to provide a channel for the people on the ground to talk to funders about systemic and practical issues.
"As the conversation continues, we want to look at how funding could be done differently to invest in systemic change — so everyone has the opportunity to flourish in our city," Ms Parker said.
It was also crucial that groups and funders had a strong understanding of Te Ao Maori and Te Titiri o Waitangi, and to understand the volume and quality of voluntary work undertaken to strengthen communities.
"What we really saw during lockdown was the communities that were the most connected were the most resilient."
Tuesday’s launch was a further opportunity for connection between organisations and funders, and a chance to gain different perspectives on the issues, she said.
