Youth-led funding. For youth. For sure.
Youth4Sure 2026 is now OPEN to applications!
Fill out this form to apply!
Before applying, please first ensure you are eligible. To find out if you are eligible to apply for this fund, check out our Eligibility Quiz.
Applications open on Monday June 22 and close Monday August 10th.
To find more info on this fund, such as what we fund, who can apply and more, check out our FAQs below!
A youth panel designs the fund
Applications open to the community
A youth panel reviews and assesses applications
Funding decisions are made collectively
Successful projects are funded, supported and celebrated
Youth4Sure is a youth-led participatory fund.
It came out of the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki (M-T) Deliberative Democracy Pilot. This was a group of local rangatahi who got together to answer the question:
How can Auckland Council better support youth hauora?
These youth members fed back to the M-T local board some recommendations, including:
Listening to rangatahi and supporting them as active community leaders.
And that’s exactly what Youth4Sure is:
It focuses on four core objectives centred around youth leadership, wellbeing, and community impact.
It’s not adults deciding what youth need. It’s youth investing in youth.
Youth4Sure isn’t just a fund.
It’s proof that when young people are trusted with responsibility, they rise.
It strengthens leadership.
It builds capability.
It invests directly into youth-led solutions.
And it keeps decision-making power where it belongs — with the community.
Youth4Sure is delivered by WAYFYNDERS Agency and supported by:
Maungakiekie–Tāmaki Local Board
Foundation North
Together, this partnership backs youth to take real responsibility and drive real outcomes in their own community.
In early 2025, the Youth4Sure Panel awarded funding to:
19 youth organisations and individuals
Each project reflects the creativity, resilience, and leadership of local rangatahi.
A Youth4Sure Celebration Event is planned for Friday March 13th 2026, celebrating the projects and the impact made across the community.
We welcome applications from:
Individuals
Youth collectives
Community groups
Organisations
Your project must take place or make a positive impact in the Maungakiekie–Tāmaki area and have a clear focus on empowering local rangatahi.
If your idea supports youth in meaningful ways, we want to hear from you!
Youth4Sure supports projects that align with our four key objectives — focused on YOU & I:
Y – Youth Connection & Belonging
Projects that strengthen participation, inclusion, and safe spaces for young people.
O – Opportunities for youth not engaged in education, employment or training
Initiatives that create pathways for rangatahi who may feel disconnected or overlooked.
U – Upskilling in Rangatahi Leadership
Programmes that build confidence, leadership skills, and youth voice.
I – Intergenerational Connection & Collaboration
Projects that bring generations together to strengthen community relationships.
If your idea clearly supports one or more of these areas, you’re on the right track.
Youth4Sure does not fund the following:
Projects that take place outside of Maungakiekie-Tāmaki
Academic research or a university study/tertiary study project
Building renovations, marae restoration or capital purchases over $1,000
Activities part of the core business of a school, university, or council-controlled organisation
Applications will be open for 6 weeks, giving youth groups, organisations and community initiatives plenty of time to prepare and submit their applications. We’ve extended the application close date by a week due some technicalities with our website.
Application Open Date: Monday 22 June 2026
NEW Application Close Date: Monday 10 August 2026
You can apply using our application form below!
→ Youth4Sure 2026 Application Form.
This year, the Y4S panel is accepting both written and video applications!
There are five funding ranges available:
$500 – $1,500
$1,500 – $5,000
$5,000 – $10,000
$10,000 – $15,000
$15,000 – $20,000
This structure allows you to apply based on the needs of your project.
You’ll need to:
Clearly describe your initiative
Provide a budget
Explain how the funding will be used
Yes — funding must be paid into an established legal entity or umbrella organisation.
If you don’t have one, don’t worry.
We can support you to find an umbrella arrangement if your project is successful.
If you have questions or need guidance, reach out to:
Gloria Tu’itupou
Funding Support Lead
📧 gloria@risegroup.co.nz
📱 027 550 3456
In your Youth4Sure application, you will need to provide a budget.
A budget is a list of the specific things you plan to spend funding on and how much each item is expected to cost.
If this is your first time putting together a budget, feel free to use our Budget Template/Guide to help!
Simply make a copy, fill in your details and attach to your application.
An invoice is a bill/document you send to someone to request payment for a product or service.
It clearly shows what you did, how much it costs, and when the payment is expected.
Use the following template for creating invoices. Simply make a copy and fill in your details.
The Youth4Sure Panel exists to:
Ensure funding decisions reflect real youth priorities
Build leadership and governance capability
Strengthen accountability and transparency
Invest in youth-designed solutions
Panel members are local rangatahi aged 16–21 who commit their time to reviewing applications and making funding decisions for their community.
