COGS pays out

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 32, 27 January 1987, Page 1

COGS pays out

Funds totaiiing $93,600.00 have been granted to thirty four social service organisations in the Wanganui District under the Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS). Of this amount $7,250 was granted to Waimarino groups. CampusLife of Raetihi receives $250, Waimarino Standby Group - $5,000, Waimarino Resource Centre - $2,000. The COGS Interim Distribution Committee met late last year to discuss the sixty six applications for COGS funding received from throughout the district. In making grants the committee gave priority to groups whose need was greatest through disadvantage of race, sex, age, disability or restricted access to goods and services. Some priority was given to groups working for social change in meeting basic needs and

working preventatively rather than remedially. A wide variety of groups were funded including those working with young, maori, Pacific Island, the unemployed and families. COGS is a Government programme which was developed in response to submissions from organisations and individuals involved in the community and social service field. The COGS scheme is a devolved funding mechanism in that a committee of twelve people nominated by the community were responsible for setting priorities and making decisions about funding. Further funding from COGS will be available in the next financial year. Before then, the COGS worker Helen Sullivan will be holding public meetings around the regions to inform social service groups about the scheme and the need to nominate people for the two Distribution Committees which will cover the region.