Rebuilding Through Community Innovation

The three innovative projects are among more than 32 projects which have received grants from Christchurch City Council’s Innovation and Sustainability Fund since it was set up in September 2017. “Christchurch is a city of opportunity and we want to be able to support the group and businesses in our community who have great ideas about how things can be done differently – and more sustainably,” says Cr Vicki Buck, who chairs the Council’s Innovation and Sustainability Committee.

“Through the Innovation and Sustainability Fund we have given out $860,000 worth of grants to a wide range of projects that are making a difference in our communities and in our environment.’’

Projects that have received funding include:

City Harvest Food Rescue – A food rescue service that takes quality surplus food and redistributes it through agencies to families and individuals in need.

Lyttelton Library of Tools & Things – a library of community tools and a platform for workshops

Little River Trap Library – provides traps free of charge for three months with mentorship on use

LiteClub Christchurch – supports 10 local sports clubs to improve their resource efficiency and carbon footprint

Project Sea Change – an app to help the community monitor the location, amount and type of plastic litter

Applications from community organisations, social enterprises, education and business groups are welcomed at www.ccc.govt.nz/innovatefund.