Participate Funding Review

The most powerful participation programmes don't just get people through the door – they connect them to their culture, affirm their identity, and create genuine community. This is one of the key insights from the November 2024 Participate Funding Area Review, which examined how participation in sports, arts, and cultural activities can best enhance wellbeing for those facing barriers.

Participation that goes beyond physical benefits

The Participate | Whai wāhi mai funding area aims to enable people facing barriers to participate in active recreation, sport and cultural activities to enhance their health and wellbeing. The review of this funding area confirms what many practitioners have long observed: while participation in sports and creative activities delivers clear physical and mental health benefits, the most significant outcomes emerge when these activities enable connection to community, culture and identity. For people from groups that experience persistent barriers, these connections complement physical benefits with psychological and social advantages that allow them to grow.

As one grant recipient explained: "Active recreation can look different to different communities, and nothing is off the table. If it gets people physically active, if it's helping their wellbeing, their overall hauora, that's a positive. Don't box active recreation into a little square."

Another said: “We have a strong arts programme. The arts are an important part of all our lives. Whether we know it or not. And that’s no different for people living with disabilities. Being creative is fulfilling and meaningful and makes you feel good.”

From the youth sector: “At the start [of youth programmes] there could be behavioural issues, and, as they have moved through the programme, this has changed and altered.”

This broader understanding also recognises that taonga tākaro (traditional Māori sports) simultaneously deliver physical, social, and cultural benefits. Similarly, for Pasifika communities, dance and performance create spaces where cultural identity can be celebrated while promoting physical activity.

Tailoring to the person, not fitting people to programmes

The review challenges the common approach of simply removing barriers to existing mainstream programmes. Instead, it highlights the value of creating opportunities specifically designed for high-need groups that:

• Affirm their identity and experiences
• Build on cultural strengths and knowledge
• Create connections to communities where they belong
• Address specific barriers in culturally appropriate ways.

One organisation described their approach: “Understand that activity is going to be unique to the different groups. [Focusing on] the barriers and cultural desires has been really beneficial for us. Not presuming any one group is the same."

This tailored approach recognises that participation looks different for different people. For some, it might be traditional sports; for others, it could be cultural performances, digital creation, or connecting with nature through traditional practices.

Equity in action: meeting people where they are

The review found that successful organisations design thoughtful programmes that overcome barriers by:

• Creating spaces where people can express themselves and connect over shared interests
• Supporting participation that connects to cultural identity and pride
• Addressing practical barriers such as cost, transport, and timing
• Developing deep connections and relationships in communities.

One grant recipient shared: "For youth to tap into their own knowledge, to have a voice, to find where they stand, we follow several approaches including Te Whare Tapa Whā, Mana Taiohi and Ara Taiohi. This means youth finding their own way and how adults can support that."

Another explained their approach to removing barriers: "We minimise costs. We charge for baseline materials, but not our time. It means people can come in and have access to technology they may not have had before. And we teach them how to use it."

This focus on equity goes beyond simply offering programmes at reduced costs. It's about creating environments where people feel truly welcome and represented. For example, some organisations have found success by partnering with cultural leaders to design programmes that incorporate traditional practices and knowledge. Others have focused on training staff from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that participants see themselves reflected in the leadership of these programmes.

One particularly effective approach has been the creation of intergenerational programmes. These bring together elders and youth, enabling the transmission of knowledge while also addressing issues of social isolation that can affect both age groups. One grant recipient described the impact: “We do have a thing for delivering youth services and there is a significant need for those services. But we sometimes don’t consider that intergenerational aspect. The power of having people together in one space and knowledge-sharing and the joy-sharing. Now our programme is much more [age diverse].”

Transportation has emerged as a significant barrier for many communities. In response, some organisations have implemented innovative solutions such as community carpools or partnerships with local transport providers. One programme coordinator said: “The biggest problem with after-school programmes is transport. Not necessarily coming in, but with them going home, getting them home safely, not out on the streets.”

Progress through an equity focus

Since introducing an equity focus in 2022, Rātā has significantly increased funding to organisations that remove barriers for those who experience them. The share of total funding going to equity organisations rose from 5.7% in 2020/2021 to 27.2% in 2023/24. The review recommends continuing this focus while:

• Creating deeper change through more intentional practice around design and cultural responsiveness
• Supporting group programmes that enable connections between communities
• Considering partnerships with groups from target populations, allowing them to lead and design approaches
• Exploring emerging areas such as digital technology and e-sports.

As one grant recipient said: "Our people need to know there is something that is theirs. That they have a connection to and belong to. There's longevity. Out of belonging comes ownership."

Rethinking participation for greater impact

This review demonstrates that participation delivers the greatest benefits when it connects people to their community, culture and identity. This means moving beyond simply removing barriers to generic programmes and instead creating opportunities that affirm identity, build on cultural strengths, and foster genuine community connections.

To find out more about the key findings from this research, read the full Participate Funding Review, or browse all Rātā Foundation Research.