(Picture caption: Apply for the Pacific Aotearoa Regional Enterprise Fund HERE.)
Pacific businesses based outside of the main centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will get a boost through the Pacific Aotearoa Regional Enterprise Fund.
Last year, 20 Pacific businesses located in regional Aotearoa benefited from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) supported fund, which has now reopened, giving the opportunity for more businesses to thrive.
Regional Pacific businesses can apply for up to $100,000 of financial assistance, each.
Project Coordinator at MPP, Poppy O’Dowd says the fund is designed to accelerate Pacific business development in the regions, with grants to stimulate growth and succeed in response to the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.
“We hope to get all types of businesses applying for the $1m fund, including - Pacific owned sole traders, limited liability companies (LLC’s) and Pacific owned small or medium enterprises,” Poppy says.
“Last year, we had construction companies, business services, hospitality, arts, health and social enterprises apply.
“These businesses received funding in December 2021, and already, we are seeing these organisations make great progress in their endeavours.
“By supporting the likes of these enterprises, we can promote growth, and increase access to the labour market.”
The fund also provides an opportunity to create intergenerational wealth and build the economic resilience of Pacific with events such as the COVID-19 pandemic the globe we are currently experiencing, Poppy adds.
“It allows for MPP to undertake an environmental scan of Pacific social enterprises, so it can better understand activities in this sector, and therefore support it.
“We urge Pacific businesses to apply for this fund, which will strengthen sustainable and resilient Pacific enterprise.”
Applications for the Pacific Aotearoa Regional Enterprise Fund are now being accepted.
Visit the MPP website to apply.