FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 20 MARCH 2007

Support Available for Projects That Promote Child Safety and Participation in Their Communities

Grants of up to $5000 are available from Save the Children to fund individuals and organisations (including children and young persons) working to promote children’s rights in New Zealand. Projects should contribute to one or more of these goals: improving child participation, increasing child safety, reducing discrimination or reducing child poverty.

Applications close on April 15, 2007.

The Save the Children Small Grants Fund was established in the year 2000 and is allocated twice a year in April and September. Over the years it has supported many local initiatives including helping the community, children and families to address issues of child abuse, improve leadership skills and provide training for children and young people.

Recent allocations include: $1440 to 'Big Brothers, Big Sisters' of North Canterbury – a mentoring programme connecting children aged between 6 and 17 years old with adults in the community who are able to provide them with positive guidance.

A grant of $4000 was made to 'Refugees as Survivors' in Mangere, Auckland to establish a play therapy programme for refugee children who have been traumatised by war and conflict. The grant also helped clinical staff up-skill and provided materials on child health in a range of languages.

"Save the Children's small grants programme provides a great opportunity for children, young people and organisations working with them to make a positive difference to their communities. We encourage people who have concrete proposals for lifting the wellbeing of children in their communities to apply," John Bowis, Executive Director, Save the Children New Zealand said.

All of the projects funded through Save the Children’s Small Grants Fund address various aspects of children’s rights as promoted by Save the Children and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

ENDS

Application forms and further information are available on the website:
www.savethechildren.org.nz/new_zealand/nz_programme/small_grants_fund/main.html

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