Community Irrigation Fund
Making an application to the Community Irrigation Fund
Before you apply
Community schemes
Before making an application, you should complete a feasibility study that includes details of:
- water supply and potential demand requirements;
- proposed scheme type/design;
- location and expected irrigable area;
- estimated scheme costs and potential revenue;
- management and financing options;
- expected environmental benefits and impacts (including from irrigated land);
- expected social and cultural benefits and impacts;
- current and projected investor and community support levels; and
- indicative consentability of the scheme based on professional advice.
Before making an application it is recommended you discuss the application with the CIF Project Adviser (04 894 0632).
Water strategies
Before making an application, you should have consulted with and included other parties in the proposed project and be able to demonstrate their support.
Before making an application it is recommended you discuss the application with the CIF Fund Adviser (04 894 0632).
Application form
Community schemes
Download the 2010/11 application form, either as a Word file (268KB) or RTF file (908KB).
The application form includes instructions on how to fill it out, and guidelines on answering specific questions.
Water strategies
Download the 2010/11 application form, either as a Word file (188KB) or RTF file (574KB).
The application form includes instructions on how to fill it out, and guidelines on answering specific questions.
Submitting your application
An authorised agent of the Applicant Group must submit the application electronically to cifund@maf.govt.nz by Monday 22 February 2010.
Please put the scheme or water strategy name in the subject line of your e-mail.
Community scheme applications must be accompanied by a feasibility report (or similar) for the proposed scheme.
Timetable for applications
| Applications close: | Monday 22 February 2010 |
| Applicants advised of result: | Late April 2010 |
| First grant payments: | July 2010 |
How we assess applications
The assessment process is based on the information provided by applicants in the application form. A panel consisting of MAF staff and external experts will assess applications.
The panel's recommendations will be the basis for recommending funding. The Deputy Director General (Policy) will make final funding decisions on behalf of MAF. The Minister for Agriculture is not involved in this decision-making process.
You should note that:
- While external expertise is involved in assessing applications, the selection process contains an element of subjectivity, and grants are limited by the funds available.
- There is no minimum or maximum level of grant for any one group. However, because the amount available for grants is limited, the maximum value of grants given to any group may be based on:
- the area of land to be irrigated and/or the volume of water to be stored; and
- the impact a water strategy is likely to have on water storage and irrigation schemes in its related region/area.
- MAF will require a copy of all reports developed or created during the course of undertaking CIF funded projects, including the Final Report. These will be available on MAF’s website.
Assessment criteria
Community schemes
Applications will be prioritised on the degree to which they:
- benefit a community-based organisation;
- demonstrate how the proposed scheme will help the applicant group adapt to climate change;
- demonstrate how the proposed scheme will improve the use of water in its locality;
- demonstrate how grants will contribute to raising investor and/or community support for the proposed scheme;
- have a sound business case, including technical feasibility of the scheme using design best practice;
- demonstrate potential for economic, environmental, social, recreational and cultural benefits;
- demonstrate commitment to invest in the scheme by farmers/producers;
- propose measures to avoid, remedy or mitigate potential adverse environmental effects (including from land receiving irrigation); and
- already have, or have attempted to get, the endorsement of the local community, environmental groups, local iwi and local government.
Water strategies
Applications will be prioritised on:
- the need for a water strategy in the region/area;
- the likely effectiveness of the activities proposed to contribute to a Strategic Plan for integrated water management;
- the potential impacts the study will have for rural irrigation-related infrastructure in particular how the project will:
- consider the potential of an area for new or enhanced irrigation-related infrastructure to optimise water capacity, water distribution and the achievement of community goals by identifying:
- potential locations for water storage and irrigation schemes
- potential improvements to existing schemes and infrastructure
- opportunities for multi-purpose infrastructure
- opportunities to link infrastructure with environmental improvement e.g. enhanced environmental flows, or linking irrigation water supply to audited assurances of on-farm management of water and nutrients, and
- reallocation of existing consents;
- identify the economic, environmental and social benefits and costs;
- lead to co-ordinated development of rural water infrastructure in an area, in conjunction with the community, to provide an optimal long term position;
- indicate to promoters of infrastructure projects the community expectations they need to address; and
- improve the regulatory and planning environment in which the development of water storage and irrigation occurs.
- consider the potential of an area for new or enhanced irrigation-related infrastructure to optimise water capacity, water distribution and the achievement of community goals by identifying:
If your application is successful
You will be informed by late April whether your application is successful or not.
If your application is successful, your project team will need to commit to the following obligations:
- As a government agency, MAF is required to supply information it holds in compliance with the Official Information Act. Summary information about the application and any resulting grant (including applicant name, project title, and a précis of the proposal, its progress and results) may also be used for other purposes (e.g. reports to Ministers, publicity).
- You must acknowledge the CIF as a source of funding in all publicity and publications for which CIF grants are used.
Payment and reporting timeframes
Payment of grants
MAF will pay grants in three installments during the year: August, December and April. The exception to this is the initial payment, which will occur in July. Your project’s Financial Manager (who must not be the Project Manager) must certify that claims for payments are correct.
Project reporting requirements
Claims for payments must be supported by progress reports from the project team detailing how funds have been spent, and giving an update of the project’s achievements and direction. These are due with the CIF each July, November, and March (i.e. one month before the next grant installment is due to be paid). A final report on the project’s achievements and future plans is required one month before the final grant is paid. MAF may withhold the final payment until a satisfactory final report of achievements and accounts has been received.
Audit
A sample of projects may be audited on both financial management and progress achievement(s). Proof of expenditure (e.g. invoices) must be available for audit but do not need to be submitted with a claim. You must keep proper accounts for audit purposes. MAF may ask you to supply a copy of accounts with any of your claims for payment.
To contact the Fund Adviser
Community Irrigation Fund
MAF Policy
PO Box 2525
Wellington 6140
Tel: (04) 894 0632
E-mail: cifund@maf.govt.nz
Contact for Enquiries
Senior Project Adviser
Natural Resources Group
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
WELLINGTON 6140
Telephone: (04) 894 0632
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