Te Rau Ora and the Centre of Māori Suicide Prevention are pleased to announce that the Māori Community Suicide Prevention Fund is now open. We are seeking applications from whānau, hapū, Māori community groups and Iwi/Māori Providers to organise and run suicide prevention and wellness initiatives in their community. The purpose of the Fund is to build the capacity of Whānau Māori, Hapū, and Iwi to prevent suicide within communities and respond effectively if, and when, a suicide occurs. It is an opportunity to create solutions that best fit the needs of our communities. “We believe that Māori hold the solutions for suicide prevention for Māori”, says Meiana Gray, from the Centre of Māori Suicide Prevention. “Successful solutions draw on Te Ao Māori – using our ways of being and our ways of healing to build and strengthen our communities and encourage mental wellbeing”. The call to action for this kaupapa comes at a time when Whānau Māori are experiencing major hardships in many parts of Aotearoa. The impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle are far-reaching and long-term. The fund provides an opportunity to empower communities throughout Aotearoa to help alleviate distress and specifically support whānau known to be at higher risk of suicidal distress, such as tāne, rangatahi, rainbow communities and rural communities.
The $1.6 million contestable fund has four funding streams:
- Whānau & Hapū Groups can apply for up to $10,000.
- Māori Community Groups can apply for up to $25,000.
- Iwi & Māori Providers may apply for up to $50,000.
- Iwi/Māori Provider Collaborations may apply for up to $100,000.
Find out what you might be eligible to apply for. Explore past recipients of the fund and be inspired by what they were able to achieve, then put your ideas into action and apply now. Be quick! Applications are open now and close on 1st May 2023. More information can be found on our funding page. Karawhiua!
Image: Sharneece Joyce, a 2022 recipient whose programme ‘Wānanga Tuakana | Leadership development programme helped support rangatahi in Te Tai Tokerau. You can read more about her initiative here.