Hand up not hand outs

Stunning examples of human innovation have been rewarded today with the announcement of the first round of the Social Entrepreneur Fund in Wellington.

These movers and shakers are the recipients of a government run Social Entrepreneur Fund which provides assistance towards ‘making them more effective in what they do.’ The Community Employment Group, a service of the Department of Labour, administers the fund.

Of the 200 people who applied to the fund, 51 community champions have been successful in gaining support for activities which range from creating change in hardened prison inmates using therapeutic theatre, to researching the use of Maori land for native plants and lavender farming.

Announcing the new Social Entrepreneur Fund recipients Social Development and Employment Minister Hon Steve Maharey laid down a challenge to New Zealand communities.

“The government does not have one panacea to ‘fix’ things. It is the champions, the guiding lights in our communities who can think of bright ideas and inspire others to find solutions to health, education, social and employment problems.

“It is time to support these people and develop their potential so that the government moves from hand outs towards a hand up by investing in people who can make a real difference,” he says.

The fund is ongoing and complements assistance available from the Safer Communities Action Fund administered by Child, Youth and Family.

Several high profile people to gain recognition from the fund are actor and director Jim Moriarty to research the development of his prison programmes; a profoundly Deaf youth leader Sonia Pivac to research digital media impact for the Deaf community; a husband and wife team Puawai and Arahi Hagger to work on a digital archival history of the Ratana Movement and Auckland comedian Phillip Patston to attend a Disability Arts festival in the UK.

Selected Social Entrepreneurs receiving funding

Tamati Te Nohotu, Auckland, Glenn Innes,Contact: 0272397070 Project: Attend Training Forums in Management & Leadership to develop and manage an arts center in Glenn Innes.

Sonia Pivac, Auckland, Te Atatau South, Contact: fax 098372793 as is profoundly deaf. Project: Studying digital Media at Gallaudet University, Washington DC, USA.

Will Ilolahia, Auckland, Sandringham:096290826 0256224532 Project: Personal Development re TV/Film

Phillip Patston, Auckland, Grey Lynn. Contact:093764837 021764837 Project: Build own capacity - establish, manage and promote Disability Arts Festival.

Cliff Colquhoun, Kaitaia, Contact: 094094912 Project: Research and develop clusters trading organisations based on existing community enterprises.

Jacqui Knight, Russell.Contact: 094038843 Project: 3 week tour of NZ communities - similar to her own community of Russell, to study projects implemented to benefit them.

Kim Anderson, Whangarei. Contact:094361629 021520193 Project: Exploratory & cultural exchange trip (indigenous performing arts) re setting up performing arts school in Whangarei.

Hiraina Hona, Rotorua. Contact: 073455017 Project: Research & Implementation - Economic Dev. Maori Land - particular research into regeneration of Native plants and Lavender farming

Hakeke McGarvey, Whakatane. Contact:073129040 0257572601 Project: Eastcape Regional Tourism Broker/Network - encourage sustainable Iwi relationships - Maori tourism enterprise development

Manu Caddie, Gisborne. Contact: 0274180423 Project: Network with other youth worker type S/Ent's in Australia

Dale Devereux – Copeland, Okato, Taranaki. Contact: 067528126 Project: Support to continue efforts with Virtual Tart Website and Real Tart Gallery whilst contributing to the Taranaki Artists community.

Deborah Puawai Hagger and Arahi Hagger, Ratana, Whanganui. Contact: 0272319050 or 06 347 6593.Project: A husband and wife team working on the archives and a digital collection of Ratana history and a bibliography of references.

Andrew Smith, Marlborough.Contact: 035716302 Project: Research and Development around the establishment of NZ Pacific Musical talent

Jan Bieringa, Wellington. Contact: 043843550 Project:Travel to Australia - professional development in the new media arena.

Robert Reid, Wellington. Contact: 043895399 Home 043852529 Work 0274156069 Project: Graduate Diploma in Economic Development

Jim Moriarty, Wellington. Contact: 043836855 0274439250 Project: "Theatre Marae - Theatre for Change" Theatre based intervention with at risk youth incl. male and youth prisons. Capacity building ventures through networking

Faye Cheryl Wulff, Nelson. Contact: 035481764 Project: Attend and take part and speak at the WATABOSHI Music Festival.

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