The New Zealand High Commission in Pretoria invites applications under the Fund each year for projects implemented by organisations in South Africa, Angola, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The primary objective of the Fund is to support community-based projects that contribute towards sustainable development in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a secure, equitable and prosperous world. Applications must align with New Zealand's International Development Cooperation programme purpose to develop shared prosperity and stability.
December 2024 application round
The High Commission Fund supports small-scale, short-term capacity, and skills development projects delivered by community development organisations, registered non-governmental organisations (NGOs), schools, local government agencies, local small business associations and women or marginalised peoples' and entrepreneurship groups.
The application period for the 2024/25 funding round opened on 11 November 2024. The closing date for applications has now been extended to Sunday 15 December (23:59 SAT).
Funding is available up to a maximum of NZ$50,000 (or local currency equivalent) per project.
The High Commission Fund for 2024/25 will target projects focused in the areas of:
- women's empowerment including the elimination of gender-based violence;
- youth empowerment and economic development;
- climate adaptation and resilience.
An information sheet including the guidelines for the Fund, and an application form can be found below.
All application forms should be downloaded, filled out and submitted to the dedicated High Commission Fund inbox via email: PRE-HEF@mfat.govt.nz, copied to enquiries@nzhc.co.za. It is not possible to apply directly online. Successful applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their application in early February 2025.
High Commission Fund information sheet [PDF, 210 KB]
High Commission Fund application form [DOCX, 105 KB]
Applications that were submitted solely to the PRE-HEF email address prior to 2 December should be resubmitted to both email addresses before the 15 December closing deadline.