Website Host: Department of Internal Affairs
A message from Anne Carter, Deputy Secretary,
Local Government and Community Branch, DIA (October 2004)
Establishment of the Local Government and Community Branch
The functions of the Community Development Group were recently transferred to the newly established Local Government and Community Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs.
The new Branch will continue to promote the building of strong communities through the provision of advisory services, information, Lottery Grants, the Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) and other grants, which develop community capacity to address local issues.
The Branch will also continue to develop communities along three strands:
- to encourage local solutions to local problems
- to build government/voluntary sector partnerships
- to provide excellent services to citizens and customers through best use of information technology.
The Local Government and Community Branch is increasingly implementing the Internet as a tool to improve access to funding and information resources to help communities help themselves. To this end we have introduced a number of innovative projects promoting the benefits of using IT, or providing services online. These include:
- Grants Online (www.cdgo.govt.nz) – where applications can be made online for COGS (Community Organisation Grants Scheme) and the new Lottery Community Committees.
- Flaxroots Technology conferences (www.flaxroots.net.nz) – Community Development has co-hosted three conferences to provide opportunities for community representatives to discuss how IT can be used to strengthen communities.
- We produced Communities Online – a booklet outlining 10 community-based IT or Internet projects.
- And, of course, we administer this web site, CommunityNet Aotearoa, which aims to improve on-line access to government by community groups and citizens, and promote information sharing between groups. We believe that CommunityNet Aotearoa plays a valuable role in providing a gateway to the Internet for community groups. We will continue to maintain and enhance the website to ensure it continues to meet the needs of community organisations.
An important part of this work is proving opportunities for community organisations to be involved in governance of the website. An Advisory Group was established in October 2002 to lead website governance. Community representatives meet 3-4 times per year to help with development of the website and contribute to strategic directions. To stay in touch with what the Advisory Group is doing, or to raise issues with the community representatives, visit the Advisory Group webpages.
Anne Carter
Secretary for Local Government and Community Branch
Department of Internal Affairs
For more information
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