Community Resilience and Vibrancy Fund

Supporting community investment across the West Coast

Development West Coast’s Community Resilience and Vibrancy Fund is a one-off contestable fund supporting practical projects that strengthen community resilience, improve important community facilities and enhance the vibrancy and visitor appeal of West Coast towns and communities.

A contestable funding pool of $1 million is available for projects located in each of the Buller, Grey and Westland districts, split over two funding rounds available within each district.

Key funding information

Funding requests must be between $10,000 and $300,000.
DWC may fund up to 65% of eligible project costs.
Applicants must show how the remaining project costs will be funded.
The applicant contribution may include cash, external funding and appropriate in-kind support.
In-kind contributions are assessed case by case and must be based on reasonable, verifiable values. DWC may review or adjust values for assessment purposes.
Projects should commence within 12 months and be completed within 18 months of funding approval.

Funding categories

Community Facilities – Capital Works

Upgrades, renewals or adaptations that keep important community facilities fit for purpose, accessible and sustainable.

Community Facilities – Energy Resilience

Capital investment in energy systems and related works that improve resilience and reduce the operating pressure on eligible community facilities.

Beautification and Place Activation

Community-led projects that improve town amenity, appearance, visitor experience, local identity and community confidence.

Who can apply?

West Coast-based not-for-profit organisations
Charitable organisations
Community organisations with a clear community purpose and appropriate governance structure
Local authorities where the project is beyond normal business-as-usual responsibility

Core eligibility requirements

Projects must:

be located in and primarily benefit the West Coast Region
align with the Objects of DWC’s Deed of Trust and deliver sustainable economic and/or community benefit
demonstrate clear community need, support, expected use and project readiness
have a realistic budget, project plan, timeframe, approvals pathway and delivery capability
demonstrate how any funded asset will be maintained and funded after completion
avoid material negative impacts on existing West Coast businesses or community facilities
disclose actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest

What will not be funded?

ongoing operating costs, wages, debt repayment or working capital
retrospective project costs committed or incurred before approval
routine maintenance or normal council asset renewals
feasibility-only, investigation-only, marketing-only or planning-only projects
projects creating more than incidental private benefit
projects that are primarily commercial, political, private-member benefit or religious worship in nature
projects without credible budgets, governance or delivery arrangements

How applications will be assessed

Criterion	Weighting	Asessment focus
Strategic and Deed alignment	Pass/Fail	Fit for DWC Objectives, regional benefit and no more than incidental private benefit
Community need and readiness	25%	Need, use, support, premissions, readiness, governance and delivery capability.
Economic and community benefit	30%	Employment, local spend, visitor appeal, resilience, liveability, participation and social outcomes.
Sustainability and ongoing viability	25%	Maintenance, future funding, governance and ability to sustain benefits.
Co-funding, leverage and value for money	20%	Applicant contribution, third-party funding, proportional cost and expected benefit.

Application process

Complete the application form and attach all required supporting information.
Submit the completed application to the relevant district council.
The council will review and submit applications to DWC and may provide recommendations and local insights.
DWC will undertake eligibility checks, due diligence and assessment against DWC’s Deed of Trust and the CRV Funding Policy.
The DWC Board of Trustees will make the final funding decisions.
Successful applicants must enter into a funding agreement with DWC, including milestones, reporting and accountability requirements.

Multi-district projects

In the rare circumstance where a project may cross over more than one district, applicants should engage with the relevant councils and endeavour to obtain a letter of support from those councils.

Expression of Interest

If your project is not ready for a full application, you can submit an Expression of Interest. This may suit projects that still require scoping, quotes, approvals, co-funding or governance decisions. An Expression of Interest helps councils and DWC understand the project pipeline and possible development needs. It is not a funding application or a guarantee of funding.

Please find the Expression of Interest form at the front of the application pack.