The Community Irrigation Fund
Making an application to the Community Irrigation Fund
Before you apply
Before making an application, you should complete a feasibility study, or similar, that includes details of:
- proposed scheme type/design;
- location and expected irrigable area;
- estimated scheme costs and potential revenue;
- 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.
Application form
| Note: 2009/10 application form available for download soon |
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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 Friday 20 February 2009.
- Please put the scheme name in the subject line of your e-mail.
- All applications must be accompanied by a feasibility report (or similar) for the proposed scheme.
Timetable for applications
Applications close: |
Friday 20 February 2009 |
Applicants advised of result: |
Late May 2009 |
First grant payments: |
July 2009 |
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.
- MAF will retain a copy of all reports developed or created during the course of undertaking CIF funded projects, including the Final Report.
Assessment criteria
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.
If your application is successful
You will be informed by late May 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 instalments 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 instalment 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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