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The Youth Languages Fund

The Youth Languages Fund

The Youth Languages Fund has now closed

The Youth Languages Fund was created to support Pacific youth groups to deliver grassroots Pacific language initiatives to young Pacific people.

Our Pacific languages matter because they tell the story of who we are. Language, culture and identity is essential to the wellbeing and longtime success of Pacific people in Aotearoa.

Comparisons from Census 2013 to Census 2018 data shows that the proportion of speakers of Pacific languages in Aotearoa has declined across the board. 

Eligible applicants were able to apply by submitting a proposal for up to $2500.

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About the fund

To be eligible, applicants must have:

  • Been a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand.

  • Been of Pacific descent.

  • Represented an unregistered or registered group, or a Pacific owned and operated group or organisation run by youth for youth.

  • Been able to deliver an initiative targeted at Pacific young people within the calendar year timeframe.

  • Provided a budget outline.

Applicants could only apply for one MPP language fund.

Eligible applicants could apply by submitting a proposal for up to $2500.

The Youth Languages Fund was available for initiatives that:

  • Were targeted towards Pacific young people in Aotearoa.

  • Aligned with MPP’s Lalanga Fou Goal: Thriving Pacific languages, cultures, and identities.

  • Were targeted towards Pacific communities and families.

  • Shared and passed on Pacific language knowledge.

  • Enabled or improved access to Pacific language learning.

  • Increased the awareness or provided a platform for the use of Pacific languages.

  • Helped grow the number of speakers of Pacific languages.

All initiatives funded by the Youth Languages Fund had to follow Government COVID-19 health measures for gatherings and social distancing when required. Applicants were asked to consider alternative ways to run their programmes, such as online, where possible.

The Youth Languages Fund would not fund:

  • Initiatives that only benefited or supported one individual.
  • For-profit activities.
  • Initiatives that were not aligned with the priorities of this fund.
  • Programmes and services that duplicated existing services.
  • Initiatives that were the general responsibility of other sectors (such as school and tertiary-based programmes, which are the primary responsibility of the Ministry of Education, NZQA and TEC).
  • Programmes and activities delivered overseas, including the NZ realm countries.
  • Wages, salaries, infrastructure, fixed assets and capital expenditure.
  • Academic research and other academic activities.
  • Debt repayment or debt servicing. 

If you need more information about the Youth Languages Fund, email [email protected]

We congratulate and thank the following recipients of the Youth Languages Fund, which ran from April to June 2021:

Organisation

Location

$ Approved

Language

Initiative Focus

Akatokamanava Organisation of Wellington

Wellington

3,010.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through oratory and storytelling

Autalavou - Pacific Islands Presbyterian Church Porirua

Wellington

2,500.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through church activities and resources

Crossway Youth Masterton

Masterton

2,500.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning classes for all levels

EFKS Pakuranga Youth - Pakurangers

Auckland

2,500.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through cultural practices, storytelling, and oratory

Kingdom Vision Worship Centre Christian Church

Wellington

2,262.83

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through intergenerational sharing of knowledge between youth and elders and using church resources

KINZA Group (Kiribati and New Zealand Association)

Hamilton

2,500.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language learning through intergenerational sharing of knowledge between youth and elders

Methodist Church of NZ Manurewa - Samoan District, Samoan Synod.

Auckland

2,500.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning classes for beginners and using cultural practices, music, dance, oratory and storytelling

Saint Joseph Wellington Catholic Group

Wellington

2,500.00

Te taetae ni Kiribati

Language learning through church activities and resources

Samoan Methodist Church of Samoa Kelston - Junior Youth

Auckland

2,500.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through cultural practices, storytelling, dance and oratory

St Anne's Samoan Aukalavou

Christchurch

2,366.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through dance, intergenerational sharing of knowledge between youth and elders and using church resources

The Salvation Army Manukau

Auckland

2,650.00

Te Gagana Tokelau

Language learning through intergenerational sharing of knowledge between youth and elders

Tofi o Tamatane

Wellington

2,500.00

Gagana Samoa

Language learning through leadership development, mentoring, dance and cultural practices