The Bay of Plenty Education Trust is on the lookout for people with initiatives that advances education within the coastal Bay of Plenty.

The Trust is expanding the way in which it helps young people and is calling for applications for its supplementary grants.

Already known primarily for its annual education scholarships, leadership programme and community trade training schemes, the Trust has introduced supplementary grants that are benefitting an increasing range of projects. All are focused on supporting the region's youth.

The Trust issued close to $30,000 in supplementary grants last year. Just over half of that was awarded to the Graeme Dingle Foundation to assist two Year 10 students in their endeavours to complete their Project K programmes.

The remainder was allocated to supporting three young people on the Youth Encounter Programme.

BOP Education Trust Chairperson Nick Earl says the Trust introduced the supplementary grants in 2021, with the first recipient being ICONZ – an organisation focused on building resilience, self-worth and self-belief in young people, as well as a better attitude toward school, life, learning and school attendance.

Nick says the Trust is always open to considering other agencies and organisations to support, whether by way of sponsorship or in partnership with other parties. Its area of support covers the coastal Bay of Plenty stretching from Katikati down to Opotiki.

Nick says the supplementary grants are in addition to the Trust's annual committed funding of approximately $150,000.

While the Trust's scholarships benefit those heading off to begin tertiary education, and the Leaders programme is for those with leadership potential, the Trust recognises that not all students have the ability or desire to excel in such ways.

'Some need a different sort of helping hand, for example a way to broaden their opportunities and horizons.

'The Graeme Dingle Foundation, for example, helps empower students to overcome life's obstacles. The Young Encounter Programme aims to give young people a sense of belonging that empowers them to live life to the fullest and to focus forward with hope in their future,” he says.

Charlotte Brown of the Graeme Dingle Foundation says her organisation is 'incredibly grateful” for the support which enables two Te Puke students to participate in the foundation's Project K programme.

'Project K will arm these students with a belief in their own ability to set and achieve goals and help them find purpose and direction and ultimately transform their lives.

'We look forward to sharing and celebrating the positive changes that come about as a direct result of this funding,” Charlotte says.

Supplementary grant applicants will be notified of the Trust's final decision on, or before, June 1.

The number of recipients to receive the BOP Education Trust Scholarship over the years now stands at 345, equating to $1,835,750 in gifted money.

Hundreds of students have completed the leadership programme.

Applications can be submitted to the Trust between February 1 and March 31 by email to tom@inghammora.co.nz.