Funding to support community voices
Community Sector Taskforce (CST),
Budget 2009 allocated $1.2 million to strengthen local networks and give a voice to community groups that are often not heard in government processes.
In her media release announcing the funding, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia said: "In a tight economic environment, finding local solutions to cross-community issues is vital and stronger networks will help us to achieve that.
"Stronger tangata whenua and community and voluntary sector networks will be instrumental in finding solutions to important issues for the sector, such as strengthening governance, sharing resources and good management practices."
Minister Turia said the initiative was necessary because local organisations often did not have the opportunity to engage in the policy processes of central government.
The $400,000 annual initiative over three years, beginning in 2009/10, will involve refreshing the membership of the Community Sector Taskforce (CST), which has experience in working with and building local community networks.
The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS) is now working with the CST to agree on a programme of work for the 2009/10 year. This will include identifying some local regions to focus on during the first 12 months.
This work will supplement other initiatives to strengthen community voices and help government decision-making processes to be more responsive.
Read more about the Community Sector Taskforce.
Read the statement from Minister Turia about the new funding.