BayTrust is inviting Western BOP organisations to apply for up to $500,000 worth of funding to upgrade or build new community assets – and are particularly keen to hear about projects that help address environmental needs and our region's climate change transition.

Applications will open next week on April 26 for BayTrust's annual Community Amenities Fund.

A total of $1.3m is available to distribute this year, with grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 per project.

In previous years, the CAF has helped pay for the new surf rescue base in Papamoa, Omokoroa's new sports pavilion, a new Plunket building in Rotorua, a new ambulance station at Waihau Bay, a major wetland development and marae redevelopments – just to name a few.

BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes says the CAF is a unique opportunity to secure funding for major projects that will benefit the Bay of Plenty for generations to come.

'We know there are a lot of exciting projects happening in the environmental/climate change space and would love to hear from people who have a project in mind in those areas, as well as other initiatives that align with BayTrust's mission of helping our Bay of Plenty communities and environment to flourish.”

BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes.

Successful projects must also have sufficient committed funds (or a workable funding plan with applications in place) to complete the work, and must have ongoing financial support to cover maintenance and operating costs.

Rhodes says projects that aren't yet ‘investment ready' may be supported with a smaller grant to help with feasibility research.

Applicants are invited to have an initial discussion with BayTrust staff prior to lodging their Expression of Interest (EOI) before May 27.

Those groups who are shortlisted in July will then be invited to complete a full business case study before a decision is made by BayTrust's board later this year.

For more information on BayTrust's Community Amenities Fund and details on how to apply, visit www.baytrust.org.nz or phone (07) 578 6546.