On 31 March 2010 SPARC announced that a new approach to investment in outdoor recreation will come into effect from 1 July 2010. Investment of up to $1.2m will be made through a contestable process.
The investment will be linked to the delivery of the outcomes set out in SPARC's Outdoor Recreation Strategy (the OR Strategy). A copy of the OR Strategy can be found under the publications section on www.sparc.org.nz.
The contestable process was approved by SPARC's Board on 25 March 2010 following recommendations from the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Recreation Council (the Council) that a new approach to investment was required if the sector was to achieve the outcomes sought in the OR Strategy. The Council had considered the concerns raised by the sector in the consultation process leading to the development of the OR Strategy and advised that a contestable approach open to a wide range of organisations but, with an emphasis on collaboration and partnerships, would address issues of fragmentation and capacity across the sector.
The Board accepted the Council's recommendation to focus the investment on young people in 2010/2011 to increase the long term engagement and participation by young people in outdoor recreation. Such a focus aligns with both the OR Strategy and SPARC's own Strategic Plan 2009 - 2015.
Having made the recommendations to SPARC, the Council will not be involved in the decision making process. This will be managed by SPARC.
Who can apply?
The contestable process is open to any organisation that can demonstrate that they can contribute to the outdoor recreation outcomes sought. However:
- priority will be given to applications that deliver outdoor recreation outcomes in a collaborative manner through the establishment of effective partnerships;
- priority will be given to national and regional organisations;
- priority will be given to organisations that do not currently receive community sport investment from SPARC; and
- for-profit organisations can only apply if they are partnering with not-for-profit organisations.
What outcomes are being sought?
SPARC is seeking applications that will ultimately lead to increased long-term participation by young people, through:
- improving organisational capability that leads to more effective service delivery;
- developing skills and knowledge to participate in outdoor recreation, by participants and/or deliverers of opportunities;
- improving national leadership to better co-ordinate delivery of outdoor recreation.
SPARC is not seeking proposals to create more participation opportunities, unless they address at least one of the three outcomes referred to above.
SPARC will not consider applications for facility and/or amenity development.
How can organisations apply for contestable investment?
The contestable investment process will run as follows:
- 1 April - 13 May 2010 - An Expression of Interest (EOI) for investment can be made to SPARC.
- 27 May - SPARC to advise all applicants if their EOI has been accepted or declined.
- 15 July – Full and detailed applications must be lodged with SPARC by those applicants whose EOI has been accepted.
- 5 August - SPARC to advise those applicants that lodged full applications whether the application was successful or not.
- 1 October – contestable investment available for distribution to those successful applicants that have agreed investment schedules in place with SPARC.
Applicants may be asked to meet with SPARC to further discuss their applications. This will depend on the size and nature of the proposed initiatives.
SPARC reserves the right to approach and encourage organisations that have lodged an EOI to work collaboratively with other organisations, if the EOI process raises concerns with SPARC around the following:
- capability of applicant organisations.
- fragmentation of the sector.
- duplication of services.
What is the level of investment?
There is up to $1.2m available for investment. The minimum value of applications considered for investment SPARC is seeking applications of no less than $50,000 per annum for a maximum of three years.
The term of investment may range from one to three years, depending on the nature of the initiative, level of investment required and SPARC's confidence in the applicant's capability to deliver outcomes over the proposed timeframes.
What information is required in the EOI?
The EOI must contain information under each of these headings and in this order:
- A description of the initiative.
- Which of the three outcomes, referred to above, the initiative primarily seeks to achieve.
- Length of the initiative.
- Partners' contribution and involvement in the initiative.
- How you intend to measure the success of the initiative.
- Budget breakdown of the initiative.
The EOI is to take up no more than two A4 pages, with font size no less than 10pt, single spacing is acceptable.
EOIs are to be sent to Deb Hurdle, Manager Recreation. Either by post to SPARC, PO Box 2251, Wellington 6140 or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
What information is required in the application?
If an EOI has been accepted by SPARC the applicant will be expected to provide SPARC with a comprehensive application providing details under the headings referred to above.
Applicants will be advised of any application specifications on 27 May.
Who can I talk to about the contestable investment approach?
You can discuss the contestable process with Deb Hurdle on 04 472 8058 ext. 3961 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
