Skilled interns to benefit communities

20/7/2006

Community organisations can now apply to receive skilled support through the Community Internship Programme (CIP). Today marks the opening of the 2006/07 funding round.

The Community Internship Programme provides grants for experienced people to work with ‘host’ community organisations, with a focus on capacity building.

The programme aims to benefit community organisations, and the interns who share their knowledge, skills and experience. The internships provide an opportunity to strengthen relationships between the private, public, community and voluntary sectors by fostering co-operation and partnership.

This year’s funding round has allocated $268,000 for nine internships, each the equivalent of six months full time employment.

By importing new, and otherwise inaccessible, skills and knowledge to the host organisation, the internship aims to leave the organisation stronger and more effective as a result. The ‘home’ organisation – the intern’s employer before and after the internship – has the opportunity to strengthen its relationship with the community sector. It also benefits from the renewed energy and experience of the intern.

The closing date for the upcoming CIP funding round is 12 October 2006. For information on applying to the CIP, visit the Department of Internal Affairs website at: Community Internship Programme, or call 0800 824 824.

See the following regional press release information: