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Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew is welcoming International Volunteers Day tomorrow (5 December) and is acknowledging the contribution made by New Zealand’s volunteers.

“My heartfelt thanks goes to all of those who volunteer, in particular those who have given up their time to assist during the response to the North Canterbury earthquake,” Mrs Goodhew says.

The theme of this year’s Volunteers Day is ‘Together we can’, emphasising what can be achieved by communities working together.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today launched the 2015/16 Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) Profile in Wellington, marking 30 years of the scheme.

The COGS Profile highlights some of the achievements by organisations across the country that received grants from the $12.5 million in funding available in 2015/16.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced funding of just over $200,000 to be shared by eight community groups under the Community Internship Programme (CIP), which provides community organisations with a paid intern with specialist knowledge.

“The internship programme focusses on skill-sharing and the exchange of knowledge between sectors, and builds ongoing relationships that continue long after the internship ends,” Mrs Goodhew says.

The eight successful applicants are:

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced the 2017 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships.

“The Fellowships help talented New Zealanders from all walks of life to travel overseas and broaden their horizons, eventually returning home with inspiration and experience that benefits their professions and communities,” Mrs Goodhew says.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has participated in the New Zealand delegation to the 2016 Social Enterprise World Forum in Hong Kong, and is welcoming the opportunity for New Zealand to play host to next year’s Forum.

“The Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) provided a global platform to share, learn and celebrate the successes of social enterprises around the world,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“I was able to meet with world leaders for social enterprise as well as showcasing ideas and success stories from New Zealand.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew will travel to Hong Kong tonight to attend the Social Enterprise World Forum 2016 and meet with thought leaders in the growing social enterprise sector.

The Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) theme is “New Frontiers New Markets” and will provide a global platform to share, learn and celebrate the successes of social enterprises around the world.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has announced that communities across New Zealand are now able to take part in the government's innovative new approach to investing in communities.

“The Community-Led Development Programme will help build strong and resilient communities over the long term,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has announced this year’s grant recipients from the Support for Volunteering Fund.

“Around 1.2 million kiwis volunteer for at least one charity or not-for-profit organisation so this fund will help support the enormous contribution they make to New Zealand society and to helping build stronger, more cohesive communities,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced the first group of grant recipients from the new Community Leadership Fund – Hapori Whakatipu.

“It is fantastic to see such a range of recipients being assisted to improve the sustainability and resilience of the Community and Voluntary Sector,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister, Jo Goodhew, has today announced the opening of the latest funding round for the Community Internship Programme.

“I strongly encourage community organisations to take this opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge, strengthening not only their organisation, but their ability to work effectively with other sectors and organisations for the benefit of their communities.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced the new Community-Led Development Programme (CLDP), supporting community-led initiatives into the future.

“This new programme marks a step change for the long-term support of community projects, and will have significant positive impacts for successful applicants,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew is marking the beginning of a week which celebrates one of our most valuable sectors, both financially and socially, as National Volunteer Week gets underway for 2016.

“New Zealanders are amongst the most generous in the world when it comes to volunteering their time, skills, and helping others,” says Mrs Goodhew. 

“Around 1.2 million kiwis volunteer for at least one charity or not-for-profit organisation, which adds up to over 157 million hours donated to our communities each year.*

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that social enterprise and community sector leadership organisations can now apply for grants under the Community Leadership Fund – Hapori Whakatipu.

“The new contestable fund provides up to $500,000 annually to support the development of community sector leadership and social enterprise.

“Increasing the sustainability and resilience of the Community and Voluntary sector as a whole will help strengthen New Zealand communities,” says Mrs Goodhew.

The Community Leadership Fund – Hapori Whakatipu, will benefit communities across New Zealand by strengthening the level of support available to organisations providing leadership and capability building, says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew.

Local community groups can now apply for grants under the Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS), which is open for applications from today.

“COGS is a community-driven scheme in which the government provides funding to non-profit organisations and groups that deliver community-based social services,” Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew says.

The launch of a new initiative which encourages New Zealanders to volunteer in their community on days of national significance has been welcomed by Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew.

‘Serve for New Zealand’, founded by Christchurch’s Student Volunteer Army (SVA), in partnership with the RSA and the University of Canterbury, is to be launched on Anzac Day and will invite New Zealanders to pledge an hour or more of their time to give back to the community.

The opening of the 2016/17 round of funding from the Community Development Scheme, will benefit communities across New Zealand, says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew.

The Community Development Scheme helps fund projects where communities are working to become more self-reliant, resilient, and generate their own solutions to local issues.  Successful grant recipients receive funding to employ a community development worker for three years to help their community thrive.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew is welcoming the opening of applications for Churchill Fellowships for 2016. 

“I would encourage those who would like to test ideas with their counterparts overseas or observe new and emerging practices to get in and apply

“Churchill Fellowships enable recipients to travel overseas and connect with people in other places, share ideas and gain insights that lead to innovation and enhancement in New Zealand.

The Support for Volunteering Fund is now open, and Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew is encouraging volunteer groups to get in and apply.

“The Fund seeks to support, promote and strengthen volunteering in the community, and last year made more than $500,000 available for Volunteering New Zealand, volunteer centres and organisations that have a volunteering project,” Mrs Goodhew says.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew is delighted that New Zealand has been recognised internationally as the second most generous country in the world for charitable donations as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP).

Mrs Goodhew says that according to the Charities Aid Foundation, (CAF), a survey of 24 countries confirmed that New Zealanders are amongst the most generous in the world.

"Charitable giving by individuals as a percentage of GDP in New Zealand was recorded at 0.79 per cent" said Mrs Goodhew.

Ten community groups will receive the services of a skilled professional free of charge for up to a year, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew announced today.

The internships, together worth more than $230,000, will be funded from the Community Internship Programme.

For International Volunteer Day this Saturday, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew is encouraging New Zealanders to consider how they too can contribute to their local community.

“This Saturday is a time to recognise the impact of volunteers – who generously provide their time, skills, energy and commitment to our communities,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has announced six appointments to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Board.

The Board distributes around 25 fellowships each year to New Zealanders travelling overseas to research topics that will contribute to their profession and the wider community.

“I am delighted at the diverse knowledge and expertise of each new member,” says Mrs Goodhew. “Their skills will be complementary and valuable to the current board.”

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced the names of 17 people who have been awarded a prestigious Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship for 2016.
“The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships, this year totalling almost $118,000, help New Zealanders travel overseas to study issues that will enrich their profession and, ultimately, benefit New Zealand as a whole,” says Mrs Goodhew.