Message from

the Chief Executive

As the Ministry, we know that within our ethnic communities, an abundance of capabilities and skills is waiting to be unleashed. What is required is genuine support to unlock their full potential, and the ECDF is one way of providing that support. It is truly inspiring to witness the impact that this funding delivers when I attend events and have the privilege of meeting individuals who extend their appreciation. 

I vividly remember one such encounter that left a lasting impression on me. Someone shared, "While this community festival may appear small in scale, the grant we received to support this event holds immense significance for us and our children. It is vital for our overall well-being and reinforces our sense of belonging."

I want to also take this opportunity to reaffirm our continued commitment through the Ethnic Communities Development Fund to empower community organisations to embrace and celebrate the rich diversity of ethnic cultures and people in our society. 

Since the Ministry was established in July 2021, over $8m has been distributed via the Fund to around 400 ethnic community groups or organisations, funding over 600 individual projects. The impact of our funding support has been remarkable, and I would like to share two inspiring examples.

• One such project that promoted the value of diversity and improved the inclusion of ethnic communities was the Auckland Visual Arts project. We provided funding to five talented creative practitioners from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Tongan, and Japanese. Together, they developed captivating works of art that explored transcultural spaces, delving into themes of identity and culture in Aotearoa. The culmination of their efforts was a three-week public exhibition that showcased their impressive creations.

• The Women's Development Programme in the Christchurch region is a shining example. This initiative focused on the well-being and personal growth of ethnic women by offering a diverse range of free weekly programmes and activities. These endeavours aimed to enhance social connections, foster intergenerational and intercultural dialogue, and empower women to participate actively in their communities.

Read about other funded projects on our website.

Moving forward, we're building on our partnership with the communities through the Fund and continuing to deliver a positive impact through the funded projects.

Over the last two years, we have been reviewing, with input from the community, the way ECDF is managed so we can be sure that we are meeting the needs of those accessing and benefitting from it. I am delighted to share that we have made some improvements to the way we manage the Fund.

A new Community Funding team within the Ministry

Firstly, the Ministry will have a new Community Funding team directly responsible for administering the ECDF. Their role will be to offer support and guidance for those individuals, organisations or groups applying for funding and to minimise any barriers within the funding process.

Streamlining the application process

In conjunction with this move, we have made additional adjustments to streamline the application process, ensuring a more efficient and user-friendly experience.

Re-aligning priorities

We have also re-aligned the priorities of the Fund with the four key strategic priorities for the Ministry. We need to ensure the funding available is invested in the areas communities told us were most important to them.

From July, funding applications will need to show how their project meets one of the four priorities, which are:

• Promote the value of diversity and improve inclusion
• Equitable provision /access to Government services
• Improve economic outcomes/ barriers to employment
• Connect and empower ethnic community groups

Any funding application will need to show how their project meets one of these priorities. Our priorities reflect the feedback and input from our ethnic communities when we were shaping our 2022-2025 Strategy.

Ethnic Communities Development Fund website hub

Finally, to make access to funding support easier, we have launched the Ethnic Communities Development Fund hub on our website. Check it out.

This hub will serve as a resource for applicants, providing detailed information about the Fund, its criteria, the application process, helpful tips, instructional video, success stories from community groups that have benefited from the Fund, a list of funded groups, and details about other funding opportunities available for communities in New Zealand. It will be updated frequently to reflect any further improvements or information available to support those seeking funding advice.

We know that ECDF is highly valued by many, providing funding to bring life to activities and initiatives that embrace and celebrate the diverse ethnic cultures and people in Aotearoa.

With the new Community Funding team onboard, aligning the outcomes of the Fund to our priorities, and providing better access to funding information via the ECDF hub on the Ministries’ website, we will continue to support these aspirations for your communities.

I look forward to hearing more inspiring stories from you as a result of this year's EDCF funding.

Contact Us

Our regional teams are here to help facilitate and encourage inclusiveness and diversity in Aotearoa and to offer support and advice to all of our ethnic communities.

You can reach out to us by email at info@ethniccommunities.govt.nz.

Take care of yourselves, your families, loved ones and wider communities.

Ngā mihi nui

Mervin Singham
Chief Executive
Ministry for Ethnic Communities