Grants to avoid or reduce waste at events

Apply Now Nelson City Council has a funding pool of $10,000 available for grants to support the avoidance or reduction of waste at events. This funding is available in the form of grants of up to $500, and applications are open until the fund has been fully allocated each year. Apply Now!

Before applying please read our Rethink Waste Whakaarohia applicant guidelines (211KB PDF)

Read more about reducing waste at events.

This fund is in line with our region’s Joint Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (JWMMP):

• Enable our community to avoid or reduce the creation of waste
• Close the loop on resources that would otherwise be wasted (circular economy)

How will it work?

Event organisers meeting the criteria of this fund will be able to apply for up to $500 for their event. Applications will be open from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, or until the funds have been used up.

Who can apply for a grant?

Grants are available for the following types of events:

• Not-for-profit
• Schools
• Charities
• Voluntary community groups or organisations (not available for individuals)
• Commercial events

When can event organisers apply?

Applications are open from 1 July 2022 until 30 June 2023, or until all the funding has been allocated.

Grant criteria:

1. Events must be delivered in the Nelson region.
2. Only one grant available per event/event series.
3. The grant may only be used to cover the cost of activities which further reduce waste through reuse and education. Examples include putting people on recycling stations to educate visitors and ensure that the correct items are placed in the bin; enabling reuse through activities such as hiring reusable materials, hiring a wash trailer or setting up wash stations, or other activities which support reduce or reuse, but not for costs incurred prior to approval of the grant.
4. Applications may be prioritized on where they sit on the waste hierarchy which places greater value on avoiding or reducing waste, before recycling. Therefore activities should include evidence of actions to avoid or reduce waste, as well as recycling if appropriate.
5. Where permits or licences are required, these must be provided prior to funding approval.
6. Whilst the preference is that applicants should come under the umbrella of a recognised entity with legal status, we recognise that some applicants may not fall into this category. Should this be the case, please discuss this with the Waste Minimisation Programmes Advisor who will put forward a recommendation to the grants panel.
7. Applications may be declined where events are in receipt of other Nelson City Council funding for similar activities  (recipients of Nelson Events Fund funding may apply subject to meeting criterion 2).

Who decides if funding is allocated?

Using the criteria described, funding decisions are made at a panel meeting comprising Nelson City Council officers with specialist knowledge in this area.

Contact rethinkwaste@ncc.govt.nz  to discuss if further information required

Next steps:

1. Complete the application form. A grant application form must be completed (one hour of time from the Council Environmental Programmes Advisor is available if needed – contact rethinkwaste@ncc.govt.nz ). Applications should be made a minimum of fifteen working days before the event.  Applicants will receive notification within ten working days if their application has been successful.
2. Hold your event.
3. Tell us how much waste you managed to avoid/reduce, and submit your invoice for the approved expense within one month of your event.

If you have any queries please contact rethinkwaste@ncc.govt.nz